CRIME drama fans will dash to their sofas tonight to see the start of a new series of Endeavour.

Viewers can expect to catch glimpses of the city's iconic buildings in the Oxford-based detective show, which will be screened on ITV at 8pm. 

The popular programme serves as the prequel to Inspector Morse, created by Colin Dexter - who will no longer be making cameo appearances in Endeavour.

In this first episode of the fourth series, a young Endeavour Morse investigates drownings among scientists at 'Lovelace College'.

The show’s star Shaun Evans spoke to our deputy features editor Katharine Macalister about fans, filming and fame.

He said when his agent approached him with the script for the first series and said producers were keen to cast him, he went out and bought the Morse books. 

He added: “Once I started reading them I was really excited to see how this person became Morse and knew that it would be an interesting journey. And Endeavour really has been one of the most amazing experiences of my life.

“I’m very lucky really. Of course the job does afford me the luxury of being a bit more picky, and of course as an actor I’m grateful for that.

“But it’s a team effort and I work with such an incredible group of actors as well as some amazing guest actors, and it’s their commitment that makes Endeavour such a success.

“It’s as challenging now as it’s always been, so no I can never rest on my laurels because it’s a big responsibility.”

He said he is ‘always available to talk to’ for Endeavour viewers who catch him on-set, adding: “Without our fans we would have nothing and Oxford is so accommodating to us.

“It’s a very special and amazing place for me. I didn’t know it well until Endeavour came along. But I love the colleges and The Bodleian, the Radcliffe Camera, the gardens and the quads, the beautiful little houses, so it’s an amazing job in that respect.”

He refused to divulge any spoilers for tonight’s episode, adding: “You’ll just have to wait and see.”

Read the full interview here or click here for an interview with the show's female lead, Dakota Blue Richards.