Inside PBS Blog

I've been a Morse fan, but now am quite enjoying the interplay between your two characters.  For Mr. Whately, do feel that the Morse is kind of looking over your shoulder while you are solving murders?  And for Mr. Fox, when are we going to see more of DS Hathaway's sense of humor.

Here's to the continued success of the Lewis series!

What have you learned in the past from being on the set of "Inspector Morse" and from the actor who played his character, John Thaw?

I hope we (your fans) will see more of you and Mr. Fox in the coming years on Masterpiece Theater Mystery!

Will there be a 3rd series of Inspector Lewis? And is Laurence enjoying fatherhood?

Which is your favorite case in the upcoming season? What about from Season 1?

Do you read any books other than the Dexter novels to inform your portrayals, or watch any films?

What do you think it is about Oxford that inspires so many creative works (His Dark Materials, Brideshead Revisted etc in addition to the Inspector Lewis series...)? Do you film on location?

LOVED THE FIRST EPISODE! IT SEEMED AS THOUGH MORE BACKGROUND SHOTS OF THE COLLEGES, THE HIGH,THE BRIDGE OF SIGHS, THE RAD CAM, AND, IN THIS CASE THE BODLEIAN, WERE SHOWN. DO YOU HAVE CONTRACTS WITH CERTAIN COLLEGES AND "DREAMING SPIRES" TO USE THEIR FACILITIES OR DO YOU HAVE "FREE REIN"? IF SO, WITH WHICH ONES HAVE THE PRODUCERS CONTRACTED? THANKS.
PS--I AM A BODLEIAN LIBRARY MEMBER, HAVING SWORN THE OATH RECITED BY THE ACTRESS PLAYING A LIBRARY ASS'T, (ALTHOUGH I RECITED IT IN LATIN.) SHE MISSPOKE THE DECARATION: IT'S "TO MARK, DEFACE, OR INJURE."

Kudos on a fantastic premiere last night! I love how DS Hathaway is so erudite yet slightly subversive. The Romantic plot was terrific, but is there any romantic intrigue in his future?

Hi Kevin,
I was a huge fan of the "Frost" series but I find I'm enjoying this new series even more and I'm so glad they brought you back as the DI.
In some of the Frost episodes you traveled to other locations and I wondered if any travels are planned for you in this new series...maybe a mystery on the ISle of Wight?? Just a suggestion for your writers, as it has a lot of history and ghostly places suited for a mystery!
Thanks and keep up the great work...we in the USA love you!s

First of all, I'm so happy you are back! Loved Morse! Love Lewis and Hathaway! When the opportunity to revise this role came up, did you have any misgivings about doing it? If so, what were they? What do you miss most about the Morse Series? What do you like best about the Lewis Series?

Really love the Inspector Lewis series. The banter between Lewis and hathaway is great. Are the endings a surprise to the actors? PS - Love Masterpiece Mystery in the US!

DI Lewis, so glad you're back and with a promotion under your belt! Loved the Morse series but glad to see that you are just as capable as your mentor - with a lot less grumpiness! My husband and I love interplay between the lead detective and his partner and you have not disappointed us. The interplay between Lewis and Hathaway is very entertaining. When they asked you to reprise your role without Morse, did you have any misgivings?

I love inspector Lewis but that episode was a bit gorey for me. I did love the views of Oxford.

I was a huge fan of Inspector Morse, and I am loving Lewis and Hathaway. I would like to learn more about Hathaway's background. For Kevin W.: do you think your character is ever intimidated by Hathaway's similarities, or parallels to Morse?

Thank you so much for continuining this series. Having visited in Oxford last summer while my son was attending St. Peter's College brought back wonderful memories, esp. of the Harcordt (sp?)Gardens, and the Bodleian, and more. I can hardly wait to see more!!!!!!

i love Kevin Whately and first episode was wonderfull.

We are very curious to know if Detective Sergeant Hathaway is a fan of Wagner? ;)

Q for Kevin W. - Do you approach being Lewis to Hathaway differently than Lewis to Morse?
"Morse" series was a major element of my necessary mystery intake for the past decade+. So pleased to now have Lewis and Hathaway (that has a nice ring to it)!

We are very curious to know if Detective Sergeant Hathaway is a fan of Wagner? ;)

I love the 'Lewis' series. I hope they make lots of them. Whately and Hathaway bring a fresh update to our longtime favorite 'Morse' The scenery is an added plus bringing back memories of our visit there. We are ex-patriots and love Masterpiece Theatre. Keep them coming PBS.

For Kevin Whately, I am glad that you're continuing your character and that the inspector Morse legacy is continuing. I do miss John Thaw as inspector Morse but I am glad that this concept goes on. Laurence Fox is a good assistant. It is interesting to see the intellectual/school of life combination played out between the two characters in the different episodes. I hope the series continues for several more years. I enjoy watching both of you.

I was a huge fan of Inspector Morse but this series and the chemistry between Lewis and Hathaway is excellent. There are a number of UK folks here in Charlotte US and we discuss it after every series. Keep on making great mysteries.

In the new series is there any romance for Lewis or Hatherway?

Kevin-What was your relationship with Morse/John Thaw like?
How do you feel being the "Detective"
now?
I'm so glad you continue the legacy

How much of your series is filmed in Oxford and how much is filmed in other areas or in the studio? Where is the studio?

Love the show and your characters! Are either or both of you going to pursue a romantic interest this season?

I truly enjoy the mysteries and the relationship between Lewis and Hathaway. Please pass our appreciation on to all the cast and crew.

Will Lewis's children ever have an appearance in the show? I love how you show that Lewis and kids have a good relationship (phone calls and such) but it would be nice to see them.

Thank you for taking the time to answer the questions, and for putting on such a great show!

Hathaway is such a dish. Why does he smoke? It sets such a bad example!

Hi Kevin,

I agree that first episode was wonderful. Inspector Lewis series is also great.

Thanks and keep up the great work

Hi Kevin and Mystery PBS
Just keep the show coming.There is nothing quite as great as watching PBS on a lazy Sunday evening. You and the mystery staff are the greatest. Have been watching
for 15 years.Please keep it going Kevin; I'm not the only one that thinks thus. Love you, Vicky

my husband and I enjoy Inspector Lewis and Sergeant Hathaway stories so very much. Sunday nights are much anticipated when the series is on. We tape it also, but neither of us can wait until later, and so we must watch it right then and there as it comes on the screen. such great chemistry between those two, can't get enough of the show. wish the series could go on forever. is that possible?

Love the show and your characters! Are either or both of you going to pursue a romantic interest this season?

I look forward to each week watching Lewis and Hathaway solve their mysteries. It would be interesting to know more about Hathaway's romantic side. Please keep the shows coming!

Hi, I just started watching Lewis a month ago, catching it by flipping channels. I was already running out of Brett's Sherlock Holmes episodes, and immediately attached to you guys. Also, have found and been watching Morse episodes at my local library. Mr. Whately, you were quite a cutie! You remind me of a Golden Retriever, ya know, very loyal and stuff to Morse. I have a few questions. I wanted to know how you feel about the reprisal of your early role of Lewis? Also, are we going to see Lewis's kids at anytime in the series? (Loved seeing the kid drawings behind Lewis's desk in Morse. Very cute background touch.) Finally, I'm just curious, have either of you ever looked at fanfiction and read some stories on your characters? I've always thought that if I was an actor, I would look that up on my character. A very good "Lewis getting kidnapped" one on fanfiction.net under Inspector Morse. Yep, glad to have you guys to look forward to every Sunday. Makes going to school the next day a little bit more tolerable. Thanks, your teenage fan girl, Stephanie.

Will Robbie ever find romance? With a woman who is NOT a murderer?? I hope so...

That said, I must confess - I have such a crush on inspector Lewis!! He is just such a cutie, I melt any time he is on. :-)

I love the inspector Lewis series, and I thank PBS for airing it.
This is the only British show that I get to see.
I really want to know more about Mr. Fox and about the person he plays on the show,
How diffrent is Mr fox to his character/ and how alike are they?

I love the way Laurence Fox plays his character Hathaway. It is refreshing, I don't think there have been any other TV characters portrayed like him. How much input did he have on creating Hathaway's personality? Thanks from your NY fan.