Inspector Morse

Detective Chief Inspector Morse
Detective Chief Inspector Morse
First appearance	1975: novel Last Bus to Woodstock
Created by	Colin Dexter
Portrayed by	John Thaw (television) (1987–2000); Shaun Evans (television) (2012–2023);
Appears in	13 novels (1975–1999); Inspector Morse television series (1987–2000); Endeavour television series (2012–2023);
Also portrayed by	Andrew Burt (BBC Radio) (1985); John Shrapnel (BBC Radio) (1992–96); Colin Baker (stage) (2010); Nigel Fairs (stage) (2015); Neil Pearson (BBC Radio) (2017-2018); Tom Chambers (stage) (2025);
In-universe information
Title	Detective Chief Inspector
Family	Cyril Morse (father); Constance Morse (mother); Gwen Morse (stepmother); Joyce Garrett (half-sister);
Relatives	Marilyn Garrett (niece); Wayne Garrett (nephew);
Nationality	British
Decorations	George Medal (television 1967)
Born	1930 (television: 1938)
Died	1999: novel The Remorseful Day (television: 2000)
Alma mater	St John's College, Oxford

Detective Chief Inspector Endeavour Morse, GM, is the eponymous fictional character in the series of detective novels by British author Colin Dexter.

On television he was portrayed by John Thaw in a 33-episode drama series, Inspector Morse (1987–2000), and by Shaun Evans in the prequel series Endeavour (2012–2023). The older Morse is a senior Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officer, while the younger is a detective constable rising through the ranks with the Oxford City Police and, in later seasons, Thames Valley Police.

Morse presents, to some, a reasonably sympathetic personality, despite his sullen and snobbish temperament. He is known for his classic Jaguar Mark 2 (a Lancia in the early novels), thirst for English real ale, and love of classical music (especially opera and Wagner), poetry, art and cryptic crossword puzzles. In his later career he is usually assisted by Sergeant Robbie Lewis, a partnership and formal friendship which is fundamental to the series. Morse uses Lewis’ first name, Robbie for the first time in S5, E5 "Promised Land" before going to face a kidnapper and potential killer.