Endeavour series 9 - find out when the final series will be screened on ITV

The Inspector Morse prequel has been running on ITV since the pilot episode in 2012.

But last month fans of the series were told that the long-running franchise was coming to an end, and series nine would be the last.

Read again: Endeavour series 9 will be last cases for Oxford detective

Filming for the first of the three final episodes has already taken place, in Christ Church Meadow, and at a number of other locations in Oxford city centre.

Shaun Evans at Christ Church Meadow Photo: Lorna Marie Kemble

The Oxford Mail understands that the final series may not start until Sunday, February 19, 2023.

But ITV drama spokeswoman Janice Troup said this date was 'speculative'.

She added: "We don’t have a confirmed schedule this far in advance so this date is purely speculative.

"We’ll be able to tell you more towards the end of this year."

Read more: New book celebrates 35 years of Inspector Morse

When the final episode of Endeavour is shown, it will be the end of an era for Shaun Evans, who stars as a young Morse, Roger Allam as DCI Fred Thursday, and the rest of the cast and crew.

The film crew for Endeavour at Christ Church Photo: Lorna Marie Kemble

Last month ITV said in a statement: "After 10 phenomenally successful years, producers Mammoth Screen, and screenwriter Russell Lewis, Shaun Evans and Roger Allam have mutually decided to bring the internationally renowned Endeavour to a close, and the series currently filming in Oxford will be the last.

"ITV’s drama commissioning team respectfully accepts this creative decision and would like to extend heartfelt thanks to everyone associated with Endeavour who have made the drama such a well loved part of the UK’s drama landscape. ITV would particularly like to thank Damien Timmer, Russell Lewis, Shaun Evans and Roger Allam who have created television history following in the footsteps of Morse’s acclaimed creator, the late, great, Colin Dexter and the much missed John Thaw."

Read again: Endeavour is filmed in Christ Church Meadow

It's more than three and a half decades since The Dead of Jericho, starring John Thaw and Kevin Whately, launched the Inspector Morse series on ITV.

Roger Allam on location for Endeavour Photo: Lorna Marie Kemble

It ran until 2000 and was then followed by Morse spin-off dramas Lewis and then Endeavour.

A book, published by Bite-Sized Books, entitled Morse, Lewis, Endeavour and Oxford: A Guide Celebrating 35 Years on Screen, has been edited by John Mair and written with Morse tour guide and expert Heidi Boon Rickard, and renowned author and academic, Richard Lance Keeble.

It takes readers ‘behind the screens’ bringing new insights into Oxford’s backdrop to one of ITV’s most endearing productions.

Mr Mair, who lives in Jericho, is hoping special screenings of the final episodes of Endeavour could be shown at Phoenix Picturehouse.

Mr Mair said earlier: “Morse is Oxford and Oxford is Morse. It has been since Endeavour Morse first burst on TV screens worldwide in 1987.

"There have been close to 100 episodes of the murder mystery series of Morse, Lewis and Endeavour.

Shaun Evans on set at Christ Church Meadow Photo: Lorna Marie Kemble

"This comprehensive guide gives you a tour of the relevant locations but also a tour of original author Colin Dexter and his mind plus an appraisal of Morse, the detective, from the former Thames Valley Chief Constable, Peter Neyroud. 

"It is full of width and depth and lots of useful information."

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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