List of Endeavour characters
This article contains summaries of characters appearing on the ITV/Masterpiece TV series Endeavour.
Oxford City Police CID, Cowley Station
Detective Constable (DC) Endeavour Morse
Background and Personality
The protagonist and main character of the series. Endeavour Morse, played by Shaun Evans, is a twenty-eight-year-old Detective Constable in the Oxford City Police's CID at Cowley Police Station, Oxford. Endeavour grew up in Lincolnshire. His father was a taxi driver and his mother, Constance, died when Endeavour was twelve years old in 1950 when she was twenty nine. His father married a woman named Gwen, whose daughter Joyce "Joycie" is Endeavour's step-sister. Endeavour left Lonsdale College at Oxford University late in his third year without taking a degree as a result of breaking up with a woman from Jericho named Susan. Endeavour spent a short time in the Royal Corps of Signals as a cipher clerk before joining the Carshall-Newtown Police. After spending two years as a Police Constable, Endeavour is transferred to CID as a Detective Constable.
In the pilot episode of the series, Morse transfers to the Oxford City Police's CID in 1965 following the coaxing of the Oxford City Police's Cowley Station "gov", veteran DI Fred Thursday, after the young Endeavour successfully solves a double murder case. Throughout the series, Endeavour expresses doubts in staying with the police, and in the Series 2 finale, expresses a desire to possibly leave the force and become a teacher abroad.
Endeavour is highly intelligent and possesses a wealth of knowledge on Oxford and English history, opera and classical music. His favourite opera singer is Rosalind Calloway, a killer whom he helped capture and who ultimately took her own life in the pilot episode. A non-smoker, Morse initially was a teetotaler, before being given a pint of ale by Thursday following his fainting at the sight of an autopsy. By the second series, Morse increased his level of alcohol consumption, particularly in liquor. Morse is also either an agnostic or an atheist, as he does not believe in an afterlife. In the episode "Nocturne", he discusses his belief that "death is the end", because he "saw enough of it."
Series 1
While with the Oxford City Police, Morse is taken under the wing of veteran Inspector Thursday. Thursday names Endeavour his designated "bag man" and shows him the ropes as Morse begins to solve a string of complex murders, much to the envy and annoyance of some of his superiors, particularly Detective Sergeant Peter Jakes and Police Chief Superintendent Reginald Bright. Thursday and Morse's fellow officer, Police Constable Strange, try to steer the young Endeavour into taking his Sergeant's exam, so that he may be relieved of "General Duties" and become Thursday's official "bag man" with the appropriate rank and title of a Sergeant. In the final episode of Series 1, Morse is shot during an investigation, around the same time that his father dies. Morse is then put on "light duty" for several months at Oxfordshire (County) Police's Whitney Station, under D.I. Bart Church.
Series 2
Upon returning to Cowley Station in 1966, Morse is received warmly by Chief Superintendent Bright and Sergeant Jakes, as Inspector Thursday begins to keep a more watchful eye on the young Endeavour. As a result of the shooting, Morse begins to suffer from delayed stress and paranoia, as well as an increase in alcohol consumption at local pubs and in his own city flat. Upon return to active duty, Morse is confronted first by three cases, which he tries to tie in together. Morse makes several mistakes in the investigation, but despite his errors, he solves the cases, impressing his superiors. During the investigation of one case, he is beaten into a concussion and is cared for by his nurse neighbour, Monica Hicks, who becomes his love interest during Series 2. D.I. Thursday's daughter, Joan, begins to take a romantic interest in Endeavour, although unrequited.
Morse solves several more complex murder cases and in the series finale, Morse and Thursday are called upon by Assistant Chief Constable Deare to investigate corruption within the Oxford City and Oxfordshire Police forces. After investigating several cases leading to the pillars of Oxford society, the finale of Series 2 ends with Thursday's being shot by ACC Deare, who is in fact the head of the corruption, who succeeds in framing Endeavour for his murder of the Chief Constable and the bilking of evidence. Morse is arresting and placed in a jail cell.
Detective Inspector (DI) Fred Thursday
Background and Personality
Fred Thursday is a veteran Detective Inspector and World War II veteran portrayed by Roger Allam. Thursday served in the North African and Italian Campaigns during the war as a soldier in the British Expeditionary Force after becoming a policeman in London in December 1938. Thursday married his wife, Win, in November 1941, with whom he has two children in their early twenties: Joan and Sam. Thursday is one of the more noble and honourable figures in the series and takes the young Endeavour under his wing, clearly seeing Endeavour's high level of intelligence when it comes to police work. Thursday also keeps Endeavour in line and tries to protect him. Thursday is also highly protective of his family and always avoids corruption and does his best to do what is right and decent. Thursday never talks about his work at home with his family, preferring to "leave work...on the hall stand by the front door".
In the pilot episode, after seeing to the removal of a corrupt Detective Sergeant, Thursday persuades young Endeavour Morse to transfer out of the Carshall-Newtown Police and join the Oxford City Police, saying that "The world is long on academics, Morse, but we're short a good detective".
In the original script for the pilot, the character was called DI Bernard Stokes.
Series 1
In the first series, Thursday names Morse his designated "bag man", much to the chagrin of DS Jakes and to the annoyance of the very procedural CS Bright. In the second episode, Thursday tries to get Morse to accept "General Duties" until he can pass his sergeants exam and be given more leeway, explaining to Morse that he needs more experience by saying he was a good detective, "...but a poor policeman. No one can teach you the first, but any fool can learn the second". Still, Thursday tries to convince CS Bright of Morse's obvious intelligence and superiority to make his superiors more accepting of the young Endeavour. In the series finale, it is revealed that Thursday was originally an officer in the Metropolitan Police Service in London during the earlier half of his career, but relocated himself and his family to Oxford and transferred to the Oxford City Police after an officer working under his wing in London was killed in a beating gone too far by East London gangsters, aiming to take revenge upon Thursday. Thursday then saves Morse's life by shooting and killing a murderer who shot Morse.
Series 2
In the second series, Thursday displays more of a fatherly role toward Morse and explains his worry for the young detective to his wife, Win, particularly when Morse begins to show signs of delayed stress and increased alcohol consumption. Thursday and Morse solve several complex cases together. In the third episode, it is revealed that shortly after he was married, during the Italian Campaign of WWII, Thursday had a love affair with a young Italian girl whom he thought was murdered by the Nazis. When she surfaces as a department store clerk in Oxford, Thursday begins seeing the woman again, but does not engage in any impropriety. The woman kills herself due to grief in betraying her family during the war, which crushes Thursday who still loved her despite being married.
In the Series 2 finale, Morse and Thursday are called upon by ACC Deare to investigation rampant corruption within the Oxford City Police, the Oxfordshire (County) Police, and the Town Hall. At the same time, as part of streamlining in the Thames Valley Police merger, Bright suggests that Thursday either retires or becomes a Training Officer, in part due to his age and high blood pressure. Thursday mulls the idea over. Finally, in a set up headed by ACC Deare, the head of the corruption, Thursday is shot in the chest trying to rescue a young boy who witnessed a murder and was ultimately kidnapped by corrupt officers. Thursday's last few lines include his affirmation that it is not about him, but about the people he is sworn to protect and serve. Thursday ends his affirmation before being shot by saying to Morse, "I was born a copper, and I'll die one." Morse administers to the critically wounded Thursday until an ambulance arrives. The episode ends with Thursday's family waiting in their home for the phone to ring, bringing news of Thursday's condition. The finale ends with no news at to Thursday's condition, which appears grave, or as to whether or not he lives or dies.
Series 3
In the third season, it is shown Thursday has survived his ordeal, though it has adversely affected both his physical and mental health. He successfully encourages Morse to return to Oxford City Police following Morse's incarceration.
Detective Sergeant (DS) Peter Jakes
Background and Personality
Peter Jakes is the Detective Sergeant working under Fred Thursday and is played by Jack Laskey. Jakes works diligently as a policeman, trying to earn his keep and impress Thursday. However, Jakes can been seen as somewhat scrupulous and vindictive and often puts up a front of bravado to try and impress his superiors and women at the local pubs with his exploits.
Series 1
Jakes is on-and-off the antagonist of the first series, displaying jealousy, anger, and contempt toward Endeavour, who although a lower rank than Jakes, is picked by Thursday to be his "bag man". Jakes and Morse clash on many occasions during the first series. In the final episode of Series 1, Jakes takes Thursday's daughter Joan out dancing and attempts to fondle her on the dance floor, at which time Joan refuses and Jakes quickly leaves at the sight of Thursday entering the club. In exchange for not telling Thursday about his date with Joan, Jakes proposes helping Morse cheat on the upcoming sergeant's exam.
Series 2
In the second series, after Morse returns to active duty following his being shot, Jakes seems to no longer be jealous toward Morse and no longer picks on him, believing him to have earned his keep. Instead the two work together and Morse respects Jakes' rank. In the Series 2 finale, it is revealed that in the mid-1950s as a child, Jakes stayed at a home for wayward boys in Kidlington called Blenheim Vale, where he was nicknamed "Little Pete" by the other boys. Only staying a short time, Jakes was one of many boys who were the victims of sexual and physical assault by the "gov" of Blenheim Vale (now Alderman Wintergreen), a young Oxfordshire police officer (now Assistant Chief Constable Deare), and several other adult men in charge of the home. As a result of this background, Jakes has a breakdown and drinks himself into a stupor at the end of the episode.
Series 3
At the beginning of Series 3, Morse's sabbatical means that Jakes is working more closely with DI Thursday. When Morse returns, it is apparent that Jakes considers Morse an equal and a friend, although he still good-naturedly pulls rank on Morse during their rescue of a kidnap victim in episode two. Jakes leaves at the end of the episode, as he is emigrating to the USA with his girlfriend, who is expecting a baby. Morse gives him a leaving gift of premium bonds 'for the baby'.
In the original script for the pilot, the character was called DS Kevin Ames.
Oxford City Police, Cowley Station
Chief Superintendent (CS) Reginald Bright
Reginald "Reggie" Bright is the Police Chief Superintendent, or head of the Oxford City Police's Cowley Station, who reports to the Assistant Chief Constable and the Chief Constable of the Oxford City Police. He is portrayed by Anton Lesser. Russell Lewis, creator of the series, said: 'Bright has come – as I think is alluded to in some of his dialogue – from the Colonial Police, and has spent most of his career ‘overseas’. I think that dictates in some part his attitude to the men. He is still applying the lessons learnt in the tropics – a certain ‘Empire’ way of dealing with ‘local officers’ and indigenous peoples – to the good folk of Oxford. His is a world – his younger days at least – straight out of John Betjeman’s A Subaltern’s Love Song. ‘Six o’clock news... lime juice and gin.’ The second son. Packed off to ‘foreign climes’ to make his way in the world, and do his bit for King and Country. He is a man even more out of time than most in the 1960s. But, he is a very decent man, if a little dazzled by those he perceives as his social betters. When the chips are down, his loyalty to his troops – for all his bark and bite – is total.'[1] Bright is somewhat oblivious and is considered to be an "old school" police officer, very worried about appearances and courtesies when dealing with royalty or the Oxford elite, and at first, like Sgt. Jakes, is jealous and very contemptuous toward Morse, despite the young detective's obvious intelligence. Bright suggests to Thursday that it is bad practice to enlist a DC as his "bag man", but soon comes to better appreciate young Endeavour by the second series, after he returns from being shot and solving several complex cases.
In the original script for the pilot, the character was called Chief Superintendent Rupert Cavendish.
Police Constable (PC) James "Jim" Strange
Constable Strange is one of many Police Constables in the Oxford City Police and is portrayed by Sean Rigby. Morse and Strange meet in the pilot episode and immediately become friends. At the end of series 1, Strange takes the police exam to become a Sergeant, but at the beginning of series 2 it is revealed that he failed. In series 2, Strange is invited to become a freemason, and accepts, despite Morse's disapproval. At the beginning of series 3, Strange is promoted to Sergeant, and in the third episode he moves from uniform to CID, replacing DS Jakes as Morse's immediate superior.
Thursday's Family
Joan Thursday
Joan Thursday is Inspector Thursday's daughter. She is in her early to mid-twenties and works at a bank in Oxford. She is portrayed by Sara Vickers.
In the original script for the pilot, the character was originally called Jackie Stokes.
Series 1
Joan is introduced in the third episode of Series 1 and in the final episode of Series 1, goes out on a date with DS Jakes, who takes her to the Moonlight Rooms nightclub in Oxford. While dancing, Jakes fondles Joan, who brushes him off and is escorted home by Morse.
Series 2
Beginning in Series 2, upon his return to the Oxford City Police following several months of light duty, Joan begins taking a romantic interest in the young Endeavour. However, her interest is unreciprocated.
Win Thursday
Win Thursday is Inspector Thursday's wife and the mother of Joan and Sam Thursday. Win married Fred Thursday in November, 1941 before he was shipped out to Africa. She is played by Caroline O'Neil.
Sam Thursday
Sam Thursday is Inspector Thursday's son, portrayed by Jack Bannon, who has a job in Oxford but is preparing to serve in the British Army.
Home Office
Dr. Max DeBryn
Dr. Max DeBryn is the Home Office Pathologist responsible for aiding the Oxford City Police in identification of dead bodies recovered, as well as postmortem on the bodies. Dr. DeBryn remains the pathologist for Thames Valley police in the first seven epiosodes of Inspector Morse.[2]
Other Characters
Dorothea Frazil
Dorothea Frazil is the editor of the Oxford Mail Newspaper. Since the pilot episode, she has been portrayed by Abigail Thaw. Ms. Frazil helps Morse and the Oxford City Police with information pertaining to many different cases.
Monica Hicks
Monica Hicks is a nurse of Jamaican descent who lives in the same house as Morse. She becomes the young Endeavour's love interest in the second series after caring for him when he suffered a concussion. Their romance appears to have ended when Morse was sent to jail at the end of series 2, though they remain friends after his release. Monica is portrayed by Shvorne Marks.
Detective Inspector (DI) Bart Church, Oxfordshire Police CID
D.I. Church is the "gov" of the Oxfordshire (County) Police's Witney Station CID and was supervising over Morse during his several months of "light duty" following his shooting. Inspector Church retires in December 1966, possibly forced out due to the rampant corruption in county and city police forces. Inspector Church is portrayed by Simon Kunz.
Lila Pilgrim
Lila Pilgrim is the ukulele strumming nightclub singer who performs in the Moonlight Rooms, the Oxford nightclub owned by East London gangster and enemy of DI Thursday Vic Kasper. Lila Pilgrim is portrayed by Rachel D'Arcy
References
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External links
- Endeavour at Masterpiece
- Endeavour (pilot) at the Internet Movie Database
- Endeavour (TV series) at the Internet Movie Database