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Inspector Lewis

Inspector Lewis

2006–2015Ended9 seasons42 episodes~90 min/epTV-PGMidcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

Inspector Robert Lewis and Sergeant James Hathaway solve the tough cases that the learned inhabitants of Oxford throw at them.

Your rating, lists and review

Where to watch

Where can I watch Inspector Lewis?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Inspector Lewis streaming on BritBox.

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Highlights

What stands out about Inspector Lewis?

Inspector Lewis earns 5 badges, led by Universally Loved and Top 10% of shows.

  • Rank
  • Reception
  • Craft and mood

Reception

Is Inspector Lewis worth watching?

Inspector Lewis' Midcredits score is the 93rd percentile of all shows, from 18K ratings across 2 sources. 91% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

93rd percentile

Better received than 93% of shows

93rd percentile among Crime90th percentile among 2000s
Acclaim (how much people like it)87th
Approval (how many liked it)95th

Acclaim

Universally Loved: Rating-distribution shape vs the catalog

How much people like it

80 /100

87th percentile of all shows

91st percentile among Crime83rd percentile among 2000s

Rating distribution

Ratings pile up at 9–10 with almost no detractors — near-universal love.

Approval

How many liked it

91% liked it

95th percentile of all shows

92nd percentile among Crime94th percentile among 2000s
91% rated it 7–109% rated it 1–6

Reach

How many have seen it

93rd percentile

18K ratings across platforms

88th percentile among Crime89th percentile among 2000s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 1% in 30 days

What reviewers say

Common ground

The series is a methodical, dialogue-driven Oxford crime drama built on the Lewis-Hathaway partnership.

Fans praised

  • superb lead duo with witty, affectionate chemistry
  • Oxford as a lush, atmospheric backdrop
  • cerebral plots with moral depth and literary allusions

Detractors panned

  • convoluted, overlong plots with improbable resolutions
  • overbearing musical score that telegraphs emotion
  • wooden, one-note performances from lead actors

What stands out

Cinematography82

beautifully framed Oxford shots; golden light praised

ActingDivisive80

praised lead chemistry; detractors call Laurence Fox wooden

AtmosphereDivisive80

Oxford's academic ambiance and scenic beauty are immersive

CharactersDivisive78

well-developed Lewis and Hathaway backstories; some find Hathaway's erudition unrealistic

DialogueDivisive72

witty exchanges between leads; some find dialogue stilted

Sound and musicDivisive65

Barrington Pheloung score praised by fans; detractors find it incessant and mismatched

Plot and storyDivisive62

cerebral but often convoluted and contrived

PacingDivisive45

too slow and padded for detractors; fans savor the leisurely unfolding

Preferred by

US vs non-US

Preferred by US Viewers

US viewers scored it 15 points higher than non-US viewers.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 9 points apart
  • Critics vs users 5 points apart

Episodes

9 seasons

Season 9 · 2015 · 6 episodes

  • S9E1

    One for Sorrow (1)

    Oct 6, 201545 min
  • S9E2

    One for Sorrow (2)

    Oct 13, 201545 min
  • S9E3

    Magnum Opus (1)

    Oct 20, 201545 min
  • S9E4

    Magnum Opus (2)

    Oct 27, 201545 min
  • S9E5

    What Lies Tangled (1)

    Nov 3, 201545 min
  • S9E6

    What Lies Tangled (2)

    Nov 10, 201545 minFinale

Watch experience

What is Inspector Lewis like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Earnest, serious and charged — a slow-burn watch that leaves you thinking.

ToneFeelDemandexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

What it feels like

Moods
ContemplativeTenseWarm
Heaviest: throughout
Wry humor: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Register
Solemn: Grave and dignified; treats its subject with weight and respect.WarmWry · 7% of shows: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.Case of the week plus an arcOne continuous story
ToneThe series plays its murder cases straight with genuine gravity, but the warm, wry banter between Lewis and Hathaway keeps it from becoming heavy.
The rideThe series maintains a steady blend of tense investigation, thoughtful character moments, and warm camaraderie across its run.
StructureEach episode follows a conventional three-act structure: case introduced, investigation, resolution.
Episode formatEach episode has a self-contained murder case, but character relationships and Lewis's personal history develop across seasons.
Season formatSeasons continue the same core cast and ongoing character arcs, while each case is resolved within an episode.

How it leaves you

what you carry away
Thought-provokingCozy · 5% of shows
Why it leaves you this wayThe intricate puzzles linger, while the familiar, comforting partnership and Oxford setting leave a cozy afterglow.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all shows
Monster — 18% of shows. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of shows. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 6% of shows. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 2% of shows. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 12% of shows. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 4% of shows. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 7% of shows. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 8% of shows. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 40% of showsPredator — 7% of shows. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 3% of shows. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of shows. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 3% of shows. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of shows. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of shows. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of shows. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of shows. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of shows. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of shows. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — 1% of shows. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of shows. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of shows. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of shows. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of shows. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 2% of shows. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 4% of shows. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of shows. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — under 1% of shows. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of shows. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 1% of shows. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — under 1% of shows. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of shows. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — under 1% of shows. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 2% of shows. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of shows. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of shows. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of shows. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 2% of shows. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of shows. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — under 1% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 1% of shows. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 1% of shows. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 1% of shows. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 1% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 3% of shows. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of shows. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 1% of shows. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of shows. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 6% of shows. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 1% of shows. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Mystery
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 18%: Predator 7% · Tyrant 3% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 3% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 6%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 2% · Mission 4% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage under 1%
  • Voyage 2%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 1% · Survival ordeal under 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent under 1%
  • Comedy 12%: Romantic comedy 2% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 2%
  • Tragedy 4%: Hubris 1% · Obsession under 1% · Corruption arc 1% · Doomed love 1% · Crushed by fate 1%
  • Rebirth 7%: Redemption 1% · Healing 3% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 1%
  • Mystery 8% (this title): Puzzle 1% · Investigation 6% (this title) · Enigma 1%
  • No archetype 40%

Mystery: A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered. · Investigation: A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).

8% of shows fit this archetype

Why this archetypeTypical episode follows Lewis and Hathaway solving a murder in Oxford, driven by the question of who did it.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 31% of showsSelf — 27% of showsPower — 7% of showsMorality — 11% of showsSurvival — 9% of showsSociety — 10% of showsIdeas — 5% of showsRomantic love — 10% of showsMarriage — 2% of showsFamily bonds — 22% of showsParenthood — 1% of showsFriendship — 18% of showsLoyalty — 7% of showsIdentity — 20% of showsComing of age — 9% of showsAging — under 1% of showsSelf-worth — 7% of showsAmbition — 14% of showsPurpose — 16% of showsMemory — 3% of showsObsession — 2% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 5% of showsCorruption — 3% of showsGreed — 2% of showsClass — 4% of showsOppression — 2% of showsFreedom — 4% of showsJustice — 14% of showsDuty — 2% of showsRevenge — 1% of showsGuilt — 1% of showsRedemption — 3% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — under 1% of showsSacrifice — 2% of showsBetrayal — 3% of showsDeception — 6% of showsSurvival — 12% of showsWar — 1% of showsViolence — 2% of showsMortality — 2% of showsGrief — 4% of showsTrauma — 5% of showsMental illness — under 1% of showsAddiction — under 1% of showsIllness and disability — under 1% of showsCommunity — 25% of shows. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 3% of showsPrejudice — 2% of showsDisplacement — 1% of showsFaith — 1% of showsTradition vs change — 3% of showsFame — 5% of showsLegacy — 3% of showsFate — 1% of showsFree will — under 1% of showsTruth — 6% of showsHope — 4% of showsNature — 3% of showsArt — 2% of showsTechnology — 1% of showsSelfJusticeMorality
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 31%: Romantic love 10% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 22% · Parenthood 1% · Friendship 18% (this title) · Loyalty 7%
  • Self 27%: Identity 20% · Coming of age 9% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 14% · Purpose 16% · Memory 3% · Obsession 2%
  • Power 7%: Power 5% · Corruption 3% · Greed 2% · Class 4% · Oppression 2% · Freedom 4%
  • Morality 11% (this title): Justice 14% (this title) · Duty 2% · Revenge 1% · Guilt 1% · Redemption 3% · Forgiveness under 1% · Sacrifice 2% · Betrayal 3% · Deception 6%
  • Survival 9%: Survival 12% · War 1% · Violence 2% · Mortality 2% · Grief 4% (this title) · Trauma 5% · Mental illness under 1% · Addiction under 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 10%: Community 25% · Isolation 3% · Prejudice 2% · Displacement 1% · Faith 1% · Tradition vs change 3% · Fame 5% · Legacy 3%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 6% · Hope 4% · Nature 3% · Art 2% · Technology 1%

Morality

Justice · 14% of showsFriendshipGrief · 4% of shows
Observes its theme: Presents its theme neutrally, declining to judge.Community stakes: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Dual lead
How it treats its themeThe show centers on solving murders and restoring moral order, while Lewis's past loss and the deepening bond with Hathaway provide emotional grounding.
StanceThe series presents murder and its aftermath with a neutral, observational eye, focusing on how crime disrupts a community and the process of restoring order.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanInstitutionalSuburbanRealistic
Orchestral classicalSupportive music · original score · Barrington Pheloung
SettingOxford university and its surrounding city
MusicThe theme music reuses the Morse motif, linking the series to its predecessor.

Content guide

Is Inspector Lewis okay for kids?

TV-PG

Inspector Lewis is rated TV-PG. As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at mild (33/100), sexual content at moderate (54/100), language at mild (27/100), drug and alcohol content at moderate (43/100) and frightening material at moderate (44/100). Its violence, drug and alcohol content and frightening material have too few votes to rank.

Ratings in 11 other countries
  • UK12
  • AustraliaM
  • Germany12
  • France12
  • Brazil16
  • FinlandK12
  • NetherlandsAL
  • PortugalNR
  • Russia12+
  • Spain13
  • Türkiye13+
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
Mild · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
too few votes to rank (8 votes)
Sex & Nudity
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
heavy for a TV-PG show
heavier than 96%
Profanity
Mild
typical for a TV-PG show
heavier than 42%
Alcohol & Drugs
Moderate
too few votes to rank (7 votes)
Frightening / Intense
Moderate
too few votes to rank (6 votes)

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Too few votes to rank this title overall (59 votes across 5 categories; ranking needs 10 in at least three).

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other shows that have them.

What content warnings does Inspector Lewis have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Inspector Lewis?

Cast

Kevin Whately
as DI Robert Lewis
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Laurence Fox
as DS James Hathaway
Career best: Their highest-reaching show role by billing, audience size and rating.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Clare Holman
as Dr. Laura Hobson
Career best: Their highest-reaching show role by billing, audience size and rating.
Rebecca Front
as Ch. Supt. Innocent
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Angela Griffin
as DS Lizzie Maddox
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Steve Toussaint
as CS Joseph Moody
Nicholas Jones
as Philip Hathaway
Sally Scott
as Nell Hathaway
Kemi-Bo Jacobs
as WPC Julie Lockhart
Alton Letto
as Gurdip Sohal

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What are shows like Inspector Lewis?

TMDB's suggestions for shows like Inspector Lewis include Midsomer Murders (1997), Vera (2011) and The Inspector Lynley Mysteries (2001).

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