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Endeavour fans fear for future of series as star lands lead role on new detective drama

Viewers are worried the drama will now end with series eight


endeavour fans fearful© Photo: Rex
Eve Crosbie
TV & Film Writer
June 4, 2021
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It's been over a year since Endeavour was last on our screens, but not only is the series set to return later this year, but  viewers can soon catch actor Roger Allam in a brand new detective drama too! 

MORE: Endeavour shares first snap of Shaun Evans from season eight

In new BritBox series Murder in Provence, which is being adapted from book to screen by Downton Abbey writer Shelagh Stephenson, the DI Fred Thursday actor is set to play a French investigator tasked with solving grizzly murders in the historic town of Aix-en-Provence.

However, while some fans can't wait to watch the new series, others are fearful of what the new role could mean for the future of Endeavour.

WATCH: Have you caught up with Endeavour?

"Roger Allam is to feature in a new series. Does this mean the end for Endeavour?" one fan asked on Facebook. "I suppose this means that the eighth season of Endeavour is truly the last unless it goes on without Thursday," another said in response.

MORE: 7 things you probably didn't know about Endeavour

MORE: Endeavour creator Russell Lewis reveals season eight release date 

Someone else determined that season eight could indeed be the very last since it would take the episode count up to 33 in total - the same number of episodes both the original Inspector Morse and spin-off series Lewis ended with.

roge allam© Photo: Rex

Roger Allam is set to lead new detective series Murder in Provence

"The original John Thaw Morse episodes numbered 33 in total. Lewis was the same. I understand Colin Dexter wished the same for Endeavour," they wrote.

At the moment, there's no news on the future beyond series eight of Endeavour – which centres on the famed detective's early years as a police constable - however, creator Russell Lewis has previously stated that he's keen to wrap the story up before the John Thaw years began.

MORE: Endeavour season eight: everything we know about return of show 

He told the Mirror: "I'll do it for as long as they want me to, but I do know how it ends. We wouldn't want to get to the point where you can see the join. I think we'll bow out long before that."

Shaun Evans, who plays the titular character, similarly spoke of ending the series soon to the Radio Times, saying: "This is our story and we shouldn't be staying at the party too long. It's difficult because it's like planning your own funeral."

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