Lewis, ITV’s long-running Morse spin-off, is effectively cancelled after UK series nine. Kevin Whately was first cast as Robbie Lewis opposite the late John Thaw’s Morse, on the forerunning British drama of the same name. Reportedly, Whately and Lewis co-star Laurence Fox, who plays Detective Sergeant James Hathaway, have decided to retire from their roles, after 33 episodes, so as not to outdo Thaw’s Morse, which also ran for 33 episodes. ITV will air part one of the two-part series finale, “What Lies Tangled,” today, November 3, 2015. Lewis will conclude its UK run on November 10.
In the US, the series, which airs on PBS under the Masterpiece! banner, is titled Inspector Lewis (and its predecessor: Inspector Morse). The final season has yet to air. Because PBS combined the second and third UK series into one season, the final season of Inspector Lewis will, on PBS, be referred to as season eight. Along with Whately and Fox, over the years, the cast of Lewis has featured Rebecca Front, Angela Griffin, Claire Holman, Jason Durr, and Steve Toussaint.
From Mirror:
Whately, 64 , said: “I feel incredibly fortunate to have shared a decade of fantastic worldwide success with Laurence and with the most brilliant crew, cast and production team anyone could wish for. And all that time with the loyal support of so many fans. What a ride it has been.”
Whately had said previously: “There were 33 Inspector Morse stories. I suppose it’s a sentimental thing but I wouldn’t want to do more Lewis than we did Morse because I do still think of it as an off-shoot.” […]
Fox, 37, said: “What an extraordinary 10 years. I’ll miss hanging out with Kev for half the year.”
From TV Wise:
“It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to Robbie Lewis, one of ITV’s most loved and enduring characters. We owe Kevin a huge debt of gratitude for nearly 30 fantastic years of Morse and Lewis, and, of course, many thanks too to Laurence Fox who has been by Kevin’s side for the last 10 years”, said ITV’s Director of Drama Steve November. “We respect their decision not to continue into a further series and wish them the very best for whatever comes next.”
“I feel incredibly fortunate to have shared a decade of fantastic worldwide success with Laurence and with the most brilliant crew, cast and production team anyone could wish for, and all that time with the loyal support of so many fans and of our backers ITV and WGBH Boston”, Kevin Whately said in a statement. “Thanks everybody. What a ride it has been!”
What do you think? Have you been watching Inspector Lewis on ITV or PBS? Do you think it should come to an end? Would you have watched a tenth (or US ninth) series (season)?
Super job all around on this fantastic series. Morse, Lewis & Hathaway – what a combo. Sorry to see it all come down. Loved watching a show that had NO cursing, NO nudity, NO filth of any sort. Fine direction & superb acting by all. Saddened that we cannot see Hathaway mature….
More more more. Love the series.
I would love to see a 10th season and would truly love a spin off of Inspector Hathaway please continue I will miss the series
I would have watched a 10th season in a heartbeat. They are SO well done. How about a ‘Inspector Hathaway’ series? Carry on the tradition please. We in the colonies love great British TV.
Waiting for the start of “Inspector Hathaway.”
Could have watched 10 MORE SEASONS of this extremely interesting and well written detective series. In the USA, there isn’t nor has there ever been a series as good as Lewis. I will truly miss it.
I watched all of the “Morse” episodes and loved them. When I discovered they had made the “Inspector Lewis” episodes also, I have watched and loved all of them. A continuation of “Inspector Lewis or a new series of “Inspector Hathaway” or just Hathaway would be greatly watched. All the actors on both series are great and the story lines wonderful. I have watched them several times over again.
please continue the series. It is extremely unfair to us fans!
It is unfortunate to have this superior quality series end! I’d very much like to see a continuation entitled Inspector Hathaway! Laurence Fox and his character have become my favorites. It has been wonderful watching intelligence in action, a rarity in television performances in this age of idiocies and foolishness. Bravo!
I agree 100%.
I’d watch this series and any series either one of them decided to do. What a great ride!!!
Yes, please can it continue. I especially love the play between Lewis and Hathaway! Surely they can do one more season! 10 is a nice round number!
Yes I would keep watching the series. I think Hathaway and his Sgt Liz Maddox are a great pair of characters.
Absolutely think Inspector Lewis should continue. I loved watching Inspector Morse and I think running Insp. Lewis past 33 episodes would be honoring the Morse legacy. But if it’s not meant to be then at the very least Fox should do a spin off!!!
Agree totally!!
Missed the Morse series very much. Was happy to see Lewis again.. Loved Hathaway as the sidekick. I think that that Hathaway is brilliant and yes they should have more of the series. Wonderful to see them work together. I am sure a few more murders can be engineered around Oxford. I think Hathaway or Fox will be wasted in Hollywood. Too talented. He should stay on British soil; more gravitas, more solid acting and not get contaminated with Hollywood fluff fluff. Have a series with Hathaway as lead. Can’t waste this man. Lewis is only 64 yrs old. Plenty… Read more »
I’m in the Hathaway spin off camp. Fingers crossed!