Father Brown: Season 12 Episode 1 promo trailer
Tom Chambers, famed for his role as Chief Inspector Sullivan in Father Brown, is trading in his badge for another iconic detective role on stage as none other than Inspector Morse. The 47 year old actor will be leading the cast in Inspector Morse: House of Ghosts, a new play that is set to enthrall audiences this summer with its suspenseful narrative.
The story kicks off with a shocking murder during a theatrical performance, drawing the legendary investigator into action alongside his trusted partner DS Lewis. As they delve deeper, they unveil a sinister plot intertwined with Morse's own history from 25 years ago.
Exhilarated about his new role, Chambers remarked: "I am absolutely thrilled to be bringing to the stage the nationally loved character of Inspector Morse."
He reflected on the legacy of John Thaw's portrayal in the television series, noting how much fans adored the combination of the enigmatic Morse and the gripping murder mysteries. With great enthusiasm, Chambers also teased, "This brand-new production is a tantalising tale, rich in story and character and even unpicks some of Morse's closely guarded personal life. It's going to be a fabulous evening of entertainment."
For the first time, Inspector Morse is being adapted for the stage, following a clause in author Colin Dexter's will that only actor Thaw could portray the character on screen, preserving his iconic portrayal. Dexter had previously consulted on ITV's prequel series Endeavour, featuring a young version of the detective played by Shaun Evans, reports Gloucestershire Live.
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The creators of Endeavour assured Dexter that Evans would not be competing with Thaw as the material differed significantly from the original Inspector Morse series and books. Inspector Morse: House of Ghosts arrives two years after the conclusion of ITV's Endeavour in 2023.
Alma Cullen, who penned episodes of ITV's Inspector Morse, including The Secret of Bay 5B (1989), The Infernal Serpent (1990), Fat Chance (1991) and The Death of The Self (1992), has written the play. The new stage production is a joint venture between Simon Friend Entertainment and the Birmingham Repertory Theatre.
Inspector Morse: House of Ghosts will debut in Birmingham on August 28, before embarking on a UK tour.
The production will grace stages across the UK, including Richmond Theatre, London; Grand Opera House, York; Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield; Theatre Royal, Norwich; Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham; and Playhouse Theatre, Liverpool.
For more information about Inspector Morse: House of Ghosts, please visit inspectormorseonstage.com
Father Browns airs on BBC One on Fridays at 2pm and series 12 is streaming as a boxset now