ITV has announced that their Inspector Morse ‘prequel’, Endeavor, has now officially been commissioned for an additional four episodes, to be filmed on location beginning this summer in Oxford, most likely for transmission in early 2013. PBS viewers in the United States will get a chance to experience what UK viewers already know when Endeavor premieres as part of the Masterpiece series in July (following the new series of Wallander, starring Kenneth Branagh).

The one-off program was one of those increasingly rare programs these days that garners critical acclaim and strong audience numbers following its January premiere that coincided with the 25th anniversary of the original broadcast of the classic Inspector Morse series.

Shaun Evans, who was brilliant as the young ‘Endeavor’ Morse, will return for the new films written by Inspector Lewis creator and Morse writer Russell Lewis. Roger Allam will return as Endeavour’s senior partner, Detective Inspector Fred Thursday. More good news coming from ITV Studios that author Colin Dexter will serve as consultant for the series ensuring more telly greatness to come in 2012-2013.

I have always been a huge fan of the Inspector Morse series, as I am of the current Inspector Lewis series that has brilliantly carried on the tradition following the death of John Thaw. As is widely known, I have never been a big fan of remakes, but this is the second time that a prequel has worked to perfection. Besides Endeavor, the Rock & Chips prequel to Only Fools and Horses was well worth the screen time.

So, UK readers look for more Endeavor in 2013 and US readers should put a sticky note on July of this year for the premiere of the original prequel as part of PBS’ Masterpiece series. Cheers.