The eighth series of Endeavour has now finished on ITV and viewers are wondering if it’s the end for the Oxford-based detective created by Inspector Morse author Colin Dexter.

Here we look back at some photos of stars of Inspector Morse, Lewis and Endeavour.

Oxford Mail:

There has been speculation that the TV drama will not get another series, marking the end of an era of TV dramas based on Colin Dexter's Inspector Morse novels.

Read again: Oxford-based Endeavour is back on ITV

But ITV has so far refused to confirm that the eighth series of Endeavour, finishing on Sunday, will be the end.

Oxford Mail:

Shaun Evans has reprised his role as DS Endeavour Morse, alongside Roger Allam as DCI Fred Thursday for three new compelling cases written and created by Russell Lewis.

Produced by Mammoth Screen, part of ITV Studios, in partnership with Masterpiece, series eight has been produced by James Levison.

At the same time, Mr Evans has been appearing in episodes of the BBC submarine drama Vigil, which suggests he is open to exploring new roles.

John Thaw became recognised around the globe as Oxford-based Inspector Morse, thanks to the ITV series which ran between 1987 and 2000.

Oxford Mail:

The actor died in 2002 but his memory lives on and while he had many roles it is perhaps as Morse that he is best known.

Episodes of the Inspector Morse sequel Lewis, starring Kevin Whately and Laurence Fox, ran from 2006 until ITV announced in 2015 the ninth series would be the last.

Oxford Mail:

Endeavour focusing on Morse's early career as a detective was launched in 2012.

Read more: Queues form at petrol stations amid fuel supply concerns

Filmed on location in Oxford, the strong ensemble cast for series eight included Anton Lesser who returns as CS Reginald Bright, Sean Rigby as DS Jim Strange, James Bradshaw as Dr Max DeBryn, Abigail Thaw as Dorothea Frazil, Caroline O’Neill as Win Thursday and Sara Vickers as Joan Thursday.

Some scenes were filmed in Wellington Square.

Series seven of Endeavour averaged 6.1 million viewers across all devices across its three episodes.

Oxford Mail:

There have now been 33 episodes of Endeavour filmed - the same number as the Inspector Morse series.

Read more: Professor says Covid could be like common cold by spring

Asked if series eight would be the last Shaun Evans said: "That’s a decision for the whole team. As we have always done, we need to finish this series, take a look at them, take a view over what was done well, if there’s still a story to tell and if we all still want to tell it. So, we’ll see."

Oxford Mail:

Roger Allam said: "What can I say? I think it’s unlikely that this will be the last."