British Crime Drama · ITV · 2006–2015 · Complete Series
Kevin Whately reprises his Inspector Morse role as DI Robert Robbie Lewis, now leading his own investigations in Oxford alongside the more cerebral DS James Hathaway (Laurence Fox). Known as Inspector Lewis on US public television, Lewis produced 33 complete mysteries, although ITV originally transmitted some later stories in two shorter parts, across a 2006 pilot and nine numbered series broadcast from 2007 to 2015. Lewis streams on BritBox in the US — see how it stacks up in British TV Hub's guide to where to watch British TV in the US.
Viewers who enjoyed Inspector Morse's unhurried pace and Oxford setting but want a somewhat warmer central relationship at the center.
Each mystery runs approximately 90 minutes, although ITV originally divided some of the later stories into two shorter installments.
Lewis is generally less graphic than many contemporary crime dramas, but its murder investigations include violence, moderate language and occasional adult themes. British TV Hub's verdict: a worthy successor that stands entirely on its own, anchored by one of British television's most engaging detective partnerships.
Where to watch in the US
BritBox
All 9 series · Subscription required
Watch on BritBox →Streaming availability in the US can change. Check the linked service for the current season and episode selection. Checked September 2026.
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Lewis returns to Oxford after a two-year overseas assignment, still grieving his wife's death, and is partnered with Hathaway for the first time.
The pilot episode, introducing Lewis and Hathaway's partnership as they investigate the murder of an Oxford student, with Morse's own past cases quietly shadowing the case.
The first episode of the regular series gives Lewis and Hathaway's partnership more room to develop while they investigate the murder of an Oxford graduate.
One of British TV Hub's selections for its intricate plotting and intellectual depth, particularly its use of Oxford's literary world.
A British TV Hub pick for viewers who want to see the series blend music, nostalgia and an unusually personal investigation.
A British TV Hub pick for its Shakespearean title and literary allusions, typical of the show's love of wordplay.
DI Robert "Robbie" Lewis — practical, patient, and far more approachable than his old boss, Morse.
DS/DI James Hathaway — Cambridge-educated, quietly private, and Lewis's opposite in almost every way.
Pathologist Dr. Laura Hobson, reprising her role from the original Inspector Morse series.
Chief Superintendent Jean Innocent, Lewis and Hathaway's commanding officer.
DS Lizzie Maddox, joining the team once Hathaway is promoted to Detective Inspector.
Kevin Whately's world-weary, working-class Lewis paired with Laurence Fox's Cambridge-educated, quietly private Hathaway gives the show a genuinely warm double act at its center.
Clare Holman reprises her role as Dr. Laura Hobson from the original series, and the show carries Morse's legacy forward without leaning on nostalgia alone.
Like Morse and Endeavour, Lewis uses the city's colleges and academic world as a rich, often darkly ironic setting for its mysteries.
Filmed on location using many of the same university buildings, streets, and colleges featured in Inspector Morse and later in Endeavour. The consistent Oxford setting continues the visual identity that ties the whole Morse universe together.
Lewis is not a direct adaptation of any Colin Dexter novel — it uses the character of Robert Lewis, who first appeared as Morse's sergeant in Dexter's original Inspector Morse books, but tells entirely original stories.
Yes. The show is titled Lewis in the UK and Inspector Lewis in the US, particularly on PBS Masterpiece Mystery, but it's the same series.
Yes. Lewis concluded after nine series in 2015, bringing Lewis and Hathaway's partnership to a planned close.
There are 33 complete mysteries across the pilot and nine numbered series. Some later mysteries were originally broadcast by ITV in two shorter parts.
No, though it deepens the experience. Lewis stands on its own, but Kevin Whately's character was Morse's sergeant in the original series, and the show carries that history with it.
BritBox is Lewis's primary US home. Some episodes may also appear through participating PBS stations or PBS Passport under the title Inspector Lewis. Availability varies by station and membership.
Lewis was filmed extensively in and around Oxford, using many of the city's streets, university buildings and colleges also associated with Inspector Morse and Endeavour.
Fact-checked and streaming availability checked September 2026. Spot an error or an outdated streaming link? Let us know via the contact page.
