The wait is over for the final series of Inspector Morse prequel Endeavour.
The first of three new episodes is screened this weekend on ITV1, and it's directed by the star of the series Shaun Evans.
The final episodes start this Sunday night and conclude on March 12, the end of an era for the Inspector Morse franchise which dates back to the late 1980s.
READ AGAIN: Times confirmed for last-ever episodes of Endeavour
After the Inspector Morse TV series, starring John Thaw and Kevin Whately, concluded in 2000, the Lewis series followed, and then Endeavour started in 2012, with Shaun Evans and Roger Allam in the lead roles.
This weekend's episode 'Prelude' is written by Russell Lewis.
The plot
It’s spring 1972 and Endeavour’s return to Castle Gate coincides with another homecoming, that of the celebrated Oxford Concert Orchestra, led by illustrious composer Sir Alexander Lermontov.
A gruesome discovery in a college garden leads Endeavour and Thursday to the orchestra's door, and when a second tragedy hits, they uncover a web of secrets.
Meanwhile, grisly London business turns up in Oxford and a criminal from the Smoke is brutally murdered in a derelict warehouse.
READ AGAIN: Endeavour star Roger Allam on his final scenes
As the mystery unfolds, Endeavour and Thursday realise there are some unsettling ties to a case the pair had hoped was long since behind them.
The series, inspired by the Inspector Morse novels of Oxford author Colin Dexter, is produced by leading indie Mammoth Screen - part of ITV Studios - in partnership with Masterpiece.
Mammoth founder Damien Timmer worked on the original Inspector Morse, and executive-produced Lewis, as well as initiating Endeavour with Russell Lewis.
He said earlier: "As Endeavour draws to a close, it's been an honour to be a part of this incredible journey.
"I'm so proud of the remarkable cast and crew who have dedicated their time and efforts to bring the series to life over the last decade, and I'm certain that the fans will be moved by the final instalment.
READ AGAIN: Endeavour star Shaun Evans on his final scenes
"It's a massive accomplishment for screenwriter Russell Lewis to have written all 72 hours of the show, and his passion for Colin Dexter's world, combined with his own boundless creativity and fondness for the 1960s and 1970s, has made Endeavour one of the most beloved series on British television."
The history of Endeavour
Endeavour first aired on ITV as a single film on January 2, 2012 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Inspector Morse’s TV debut.
Since then, the series has been sold to over 200 territories worldwide.
ITV Studios handles international distribution of Endeavour.
Series eight of Endeavour averaged 4.5m viewers across all devices across the three episodes which aired in September 2021.
This rose to 5.2m when ITV included viewing up to 28 days.
Endeavour series 1-8 are currently available on ITVX.
Where to watch Endeavour
Series nine starts on ITV1 this Sunday (February 26) at 8pm.
Read more from this author
This story was written by Andy Ffrench, he joined the team more than 20 years ago and now covers community news across Oxfordshire.
Get in touch with him by emailing: Andy.ffrench@newsquest.co.uk
Follow him on Twitter @OxMailAndyF
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