ITV's crime drama 'Lewis' has been praised by fans as superior to its predecessor 'Inspector Morse'. The series, which aired for nine series before concluding in 2015, remains popular with viewers who are binge-watching the show on ITVX.
Series Details and Cast
A direct follow-up to 'Inspector Morse', 'Lewis' centred on Detective Inspector Robert Lewis, portrayed by Kevin Whately, and his younger colleague DS James Hathaway, played by Laurence Fox. The duo solved intricate murders in Oxford's academic setting, dealing with plot twists, age-old mysteries, and acts of vengeance.
Critical Acclaim and Comparisons
Despite ending over a decade ago, the detective drama has received widespread acclaim. Many critics and fans have compared it favourably to 'Inspector Morse'. One viewer remarked: "The continuing adventures of Detective Inspector Lewis and his trusted sidekick Detective Sergeant Hathaway stand out for the strength of production values, acting, writing, and direction that are credits to the Masterpiece: Mystery!"
Another fan wrote: "Even better than Inspector Morse. This is a review of Series One to Seven of LEWIS (also known as INSPECTOR LEWIS). I never imagined that a sequel series could surpass the original (INSPECTOR MORSE), but this is what has happened."
Fan Reactions
A different viewer noted: "Only One Complaint: It's Over!! Just binged the whole series with my husband over the past few weeks, and to my surprise, I'm sitting here a little tearful that it's over. I will miss these characters deeply. Once in a while, I get really attached—such a well-produced and classic body of work."
Meanwhile, a fourth person shared: "The Perfect Series. Normally, a good television series only lasts for four years before the suits step in and ruin it. This amazing series was perfect from start to finish. Nothing about the arc of the characters was forced or oblique."
Stars Reflect on the Series
Kevin Whately reflected on his decades portraying DI Lewis, saying: "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."
'Inspector Lewis' is available to watch on ITVX.
