Lewis - Series 1/Episode 1
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LEWIS – PILOT/SERIES 1 AND 2 COMPLETE
NB: Previous actors who have worked with John.
Pilot Episode
Filmed in Oxford between 29 July and 6 August 2005
Episode called: “Reputation”
Screened on UK TV Sunday 29th January 2006
Directed by Bill Anderson
Written by Stephen Churchett
Viewing figures for UK: 11.31 million (No 2 in top 30)
Plot Outline:
Robbie Lewis returns from abroad and takes charge of an investigation into the murder of a brilliant maths student. Assisted by theology graduate Sergeant Hathaway, he soon discovers the chief suspect was once the subject of a case handled by Morse. But to get to the heart of the mystery, Lewis must first interpret the cryptic note scrawled next to a crossword by his erudite predecessor.
Cast
Kevin Whately – DI Robert Lewis
Laurence Fox – DS James Hathaway
Clare Holman – Dr. Laura Hobson
Rebecca Front – Chief Superintendent Jean Innocent (NB: Previously seen in Kavanagh QC stories “Time of Need”, “Previous Convictions”, “Dead Reckoning” and “Briefs Trooping Gaily” as Cathy Winslow)
Charlie Cox – Danny Griffon
Jack Ellis – Rex Griffon (NB: Previously seen in Inspector Morse story “The Settling of the Sun” as Sergeant)
Michael Maloney – Ivor Denniston
Lizzy McInnerny – Kate Jekyll
Danny Webb – Tom Pollock
Jemma Redgrave – Trudi Griffon
Marc Elliot – Hal Bose
Michael Hobbs – Club Secretary
Alex Knight – DI Knox
Dennis Matsuki – Mr. Tanigaki
Janet Maw – Secretary (NB: Previously seen in Kavanagh QC story “Memento Mori” as Ann Crawley)
Mark Small – Uniformed PC
Adam Smethurst – Locksmith
Flora Spencer-Longhurst – Jessica Pollock
Colin Starkey – Bernard Beech
Sophie Winkleman – Regan Peverill
Rosalyn Wright – Air Stewardess
Colin Dexter – College Porter (uncredited)
Curtis Rivers - Johnny Griffon (uncredited)
Radio Times Choice (David Butcher, 29th January 2006)
It was never going to be an easy act to follow. The ghost of John Thaw looms large over this handsome Inspector Morse sequel. But between them, Kevin Whately as Lewis, now promoted to inspector, and a shrewd new sidekick in the shape of Laurence Fox, pick up his torch and run with it.
It helps that they've got a good script, the kind of precision-tooled whodunit that reminds you how maddening it is when Midsomer Murders or Taggart take up 90 minutes of your time for a payoff that doesn't quite add up.
Whately's weary everyman act works as well as ever and Fox looks like he could single-handedly make up the charisma deficit left by Thaw. Let's hope this one-off leads to a series.
Filmed in Oxford between 10-20th September 2006
Episode called: “Whom the Gods Would Destroy”
Directed by Marc Jobst
Written by Daniel Boyle
Screened on UK TV on Sunday 18th February 2007
Viewing figures for UK: 8.11 million (No 9 in top 30)
Plot Outline:
A middle-aged artist is found murdered on his houseboat. It seems his death may be connected to his days as an Oxford undergraduate, when he was involved in a hedonistic group calling itself The Sons of the Twice Born. Unfortunately, the other members of the group are now some of the university's most influential figures - and they are far from happy that this sinister episode from their past is being held up to scrutiny.
Cast
Kevin Whately – DI Robert Lewis
Laurence Fox – DS James Hathaway
Clare Holman – Dr. Laura Hobson
Rebecca Front – Chief Superintendent Jean Innocent
Sasha Behar – Catherine Linn
Richard Lintern – Sefton Linn
Crispin Redman – Dean Greely
Sian Thomas – Ingrid Nielson (NB: Previously seen in Inspector Morse story “The Last Enemy” as Carol Sharp)
Adrian Rawlins – Harry Bundrick
Richard Dillane – Theodore Platt
Anna Massey – Professor Gold (NB: Previously seen in Inspector Morse story “Happy Families” as Lady Emily Balcombe)
Diana Payan – Petra Bundrick (NB: Previously seen in Inspector Morse story “Last Bus to Woodstock” as Vikki Phillips)
Anna Madeley – Anne Sadikov
Ellie Kendrick – Megan Linn
Nicola Redmond – Tina Daniels
Martyn Whitby – John Staunton (NB: Previously seen in The Sweeney story “Hearts and Minds” as SPG Inspector)
Mark Spalding – Love Lines Supervisor
Andi Osho – Receptionist (scenes deleted)
Christopher Fosh – Policeman when Harry is arrested (uncredited)
Colin Dexter – Oxford don in college dinning room when Linn says grace (uncredited)
Radio Times Choice (David Butcher, 18th February 2007)
As we’ve come to expect, it’s a delicately curlicued mystery. The solution may leave you with a puzzled frown, but there are macabre touches and big characters (Richard Dillane chews the scenery as a wheelchair-using millionaire; Anna Massey dons donnish half-moon specs). And there’s always the winning background of college quads and country lawns to please the eye.
From the start, ‘Lewis’ was utterly commendable. Whately’s performance as the newly promoted inspector is as effortless as it is engaging. This opening episode (written by Inspector Morse episode writer Daniel Boyle) manages to balance the suspenseful intrigue with excellent character portrayals, the one not overshadowing the other. As Hathaway, Fox is marvellous. He’s clever, knowledgeable, but he can learn a lot from Lewis’s experience.
In an age where mindless trite talent (I use the word with a due sense of caution) shows are all the rage, and celebrity culture dominates British television, ‘Lewis’ is refreshing, high quality entertainment for those preferring not to be brainwashed by junk television.
Lewis - Series 1/Episode 2
Filmed in Oxford between 21st September and 4th October 2006
Episode called: “Old School Ties”
Directed by Sarah Harding
Written by Alan Plater
Screened on UK TV on Sunday 25th February 2007
Viewing figures for UK: 7.81 million (No 14 in top 30)
Plot Outline:
Lewis is not impressed when he's asked to act as a bodyguard to ex-con-turned- author and "professional Geordie" Nicky Turnbull. Nicky claims he has been receiving death threats, though his relaxed attitude leads Lewis to suspect this is just a publicity stunt. When Nicky is shot dead and Lewis starts to round up the suspects, he discovers the grieving widow is none other than his first girlfriend.
Cast
Kevin Whately – DI Robert Lewis
Laurence Fox – DS James Hathaway
Clare Holman – Dr. Laura Hobson
Rebecca Front – Chief Superintendent Jean Innocent
Owen Teale – Nicky Turnbull
Don Gallagher – Professor Weller
James Russell – David Harvey
Frances Albery – Jo Gilchrist
Emma Campbell-Webster – Caroline
Tom Harper – Stephen Gilchrist
Stuart Milligan – Webster
Sarah Quintrell – Chloe
David Glover – Rev. Kennedy (NB: Previously seen in Kavanagh QC story “The End of Law” as Justice Trencher)
Ksenia Lavrentieva – Cleaner
Alex McSweeney – Paul
Illona Linthwaite – Daphne
Gina McKee – Diane Turnbull (NB: Previously seen in Inspector Morse story “Service of All the Dead” as Girl in Betting Shop)
Pieter Lawman – Jarvis
Maeve Ryan – 2nd Reporter
Neil Madden – 3rd Reporter
David Baukham – Norman (NB: Previously seen in Inspector Morse stories “Cherubim & Seraphim”, “Happy Families” and “Second Time Around” as Desk Sergeant)
Peter Symonds - Jackson (porter)
Michael Wilson – Graham (prison officer)
Cathy Tyson – Dr. Patterson (NB: Previously seen in Business As Usual as Josie Patterson)
Niall Refoy – Charlie Read
Louis Hilyer – Ray Hanson
Peter Aubrey – Skinner (NB: Previously seen in Inspector Morse story “Deadly Slumber” as Sergeant Benson)
Ben Loyd-Holmes – Muscle boy
Radio Times Choice (Jane Rackham, 25 February 2007)
Things meander along in such a pleasant fashion, it seems to suggest that murder is a bloodless, gentle affair, while detective work is as simple as solving a crossword.
Lewis - Series 1/Episode 3
Filmed in Oxford between 30th October and 3rd November 2006
Episode called: “Expiation”
Directed by Dan Reed
Written by Guy Andrews
Screened on Sunday 4th March 2007
Viewing figures for UK: 8.85 million (No 7 in top 30)
Plot Outline:
When Oxford housewife Rachel is found hanged in her own home, the pathologist at the scene concludes its suicide, but Lewis is not convinced. Despite all the trappings of idyllic family life, he's curious about the strangely close connection between Rachel's family and that of her husband's business partner. When he digs deeper, Lewis discovers a wealth of dark secrets behind the cosy façade, ranging from wife swapping to child murder.
Cast
Kevin Whately – DI Robert Lewis
Laurence Fox – DS James Hathaway
Clare Holman – Dr. Laura Hobson
Rebecca Front – Chief Superintendent Jean Innocent
Emma Croft – Rachel Mallory
Eva Sayer – Anna Mallory
James Wilby – Hugh Mallory
Julie Joyce – Izzie Mallory
Adam Parkinson – Michael Hayward
Jonathan McCausland – Lucas Hayward
Vincent Regan – David Hayward
Lucy Robinson – Louise Hayward
Pip Torrens – Malcolm Croft (NB: Previously seen in Kavanagh QC story “Nothing but the Truth” as Miles Petersham)
Ben Peel – Student
John Wood – Edward Le Plassiter
William Houston – George Stoker
Carolyn Pickles – Jane Templeton
Sanchia McCormack - Bella Shepherd
Josette Simon – Stephanie Fielding (NB: Previously seen in Kavanagh QC story “Blood Money” as Dr. Hilary Jameson and Cry Freedom as Dr. Ramphele)
Jermaine Woods – Daniel Fielding
Wanda Ventham – Eleanor Mallory (NB: Previously seen in The Sweeney story “Abduction” as Brenda)
Simon Evans – Dr. Martin Cook
Timothy Carlton – Harris (NB: Previously seen in The Sweeney story “Cover Story” as Justin)
Phoebe Nicholls – Caroline Croft (NB: Previously seen in Kavanagh QC story “Heartland” as Jackie Jarvis)
Chris Sunley – Technical Officer
Ben Loyd-Holmes – Muscle Boy
Alma Ferovic – Irina (uncredited)
Christopher Fosh – Policeman (uncredited)
Louise Hickson – Neurotic Client (uncredited)
Radio Times Choice (Jane Rackham, 4 March 2007)
This series has banished any worries that Lewis would be a dismal spin-off from Inspector Morse. It may not have the charisma of its predecessor, but it's certainly a classy act.
Lewis - Series 2/Episode 1
Filmed during September 2007
Episode called: “And the Moonbeams Kiss the Sea”
Directed by Dan Reed
Written by Alan Plater
Screened on Sunday 24th February 2008
Viewing figures for UK: 8.90 million (No 6 in top 30)
Plot Outline:
When a maintenance engineer named Chapman is found murdered at the Bodleian Library, there seems little reason to link his death to the murder of art student Nell Buckley. But Lewis soon discovers that Chapman was stealing valuable texts from the library and Nell was in possession of a precious scrap of writing by Shelley. Then a gun is found among the belongings of Nell's housemate, James, and it's thought the killer has been identified - until he too goes missing.
Cast
Kevin Whately – DI Robert Lewis
Laurence Fox – DS James Hathaway
Clare Holman – Dr. Laura Hobson
Rebecca Front – Chief Superintendent Innocent
Darren Clarke – Chapman
Haydn Gwynne – Sandra Walters (NB: Previously seen in Kavanagh QC story “Care in the Community” as Mary Armstrong QC)
Sam Alexander – Eric Jameson
Emily Beecham – Neil Buckley
Tom Riley – Philip Horton (autistic)
Neil Pearson – Dr. Stringer
Ian Burfield – Jeffreys
James Weaver – Baxter
Felix Scott – Franklin
Jack Gordon – James Coupland
Jeany Spark – Jane Evens
Caleb Rowe – Charles Williamson
Julia St. John – Naomi Norris
Caroline O’Neil – Susan Chapman
Billy Geraghty – Jackson
Pippa Haywood – Veronica Gray
Ciaron Kelly -
Sandra Jacob – (tourist - uncredited)
Janet Steele – (tourist - uncredited)
Theresa Healy – (tourist - uncredited)
Radio Times Choice (Alison Graham, 24 February 2008)
…its engaging nonsense that gently potters along for a couple of hours before tying things up very tidily. And DI Lewis and DS Hathaway (Kevin Whately and Laurence Fox) make a good, if not at all dynamic, duo.
Lewis - Series 2/Episode 2
Filmed between September 07 and February 08
Episode called: “Music to Die For”
Directed by Bill Anderson
Written by
Screened on Sunday 2nd March 2008
Viewing figures for UK: 8.50 million (No 9 in top 30)
Plot Outline:
This episode combines the worlds of no-rules boxing, Oxford dons and Cold War intrigue, with consequences surprisingly close to home and reveals a little more of the loss suffered by Lewis since the death of his wife.
Two Oxford dons, Cole and Helm are fascinated by underworld boxing bouts that take place at a farm in the surrounding countryside. One of their students, Jack Roth, is the unlikely winner of a fight, so when Cole a German History professor who had a fascination with the local underworld boxing bouts is found dead, suspicion turns to a number of underworld connections.
It transpires, however, that young Roth was also involved in another fight: an old-fashioned battle for the heart of a beautiful young woman, Sarah Kriel. Studying at Oxford, while living at home with her soon-to-be divorced mother, Ann Kriel, she has to decide between two suitors: Jack and his best friend, Milo Hardy (Ben Batt).
The death of Oxford don RG Cole leads to the shady underworld of unlicensed boxing and the involvement of academic Richard Helm. Investigations reveal the dead man's student Jack Roth was involved in a complex love triangle, and when the young man's rival is found dead in a suspected suicide, Lewis suspects foul play and discovers an old connection to Helm - along with a link to his former mentor, Morse.
Cast
Kevin Whately – DI Robert Lewis
Laurence Fox – DS James Hathaway
Clare Holman – Dr. Laura Hobson
Rebecca Front – Chief Superintendent Innocent
Niall Buggy – R G Cole (NB: Previously seen in Kavanagh QC story “Previous Convictions” as Francis Durden)
Tom Goodman-Hill – Richard Helm
Ben Batt – Milo Hardy
Bradley James – Jack Roth
Joanna Christie - Sarah Kriel
Cheryl Campbell – Valli Helm (NB: Previously seen in Monsignor Renard as Madeleine Claveau. Also Inspector Morse story ‘The Infernal Serpent’ as Sylvie Maxton. Also The Sweeney story “Feet of Clay” as Erica Taylor)
Rachael Blake - Ann Kriel
Paul Venables - Hansie Kriel
Andrew Knott - Ryan Gallen
Hosh Kane - Tom Pettigrew
John Salthouse – Charles Acres
Erich Redman – Handke
Radio Times Choice (Alison Graham, 2 March 2008)
“Boxing” and “Wagner” are the words I don’t want to see in the same sentence. So its unfortunate there’s a lot of both in this latest ponderous story.
Lewis - Series 2/Episode 3
Filmed between September 07 and February 08
Episode called: “Life Born of Fire”
Directed by Richard Spence
Written by
Screened on Sunday 16th March 2008
Viewing figures for UK: 8.19 million (No 10 in top 30)
Plot Outline:
Lewis and Hathaway investigate the activities of a religious sect known as The Garden, after one of its young members, Will McEwan, kills himself. The suicide raises concerns about brainwashing but the detectives have to think again when one of The Garden's founding members, Reverend King, is murdered. And when two more prominent Oxford figures die in identical circumstances, it begins to look like a serial killer is at large.
Cast
Kevin Whately – DI Robert Lewis
Laurence Fox – DS James Hathaway
Clare Holman – Dr. Laura Hobson
Rebecca Front – Chief Superintendent Innocent
Deborah Findlay – Lady Hugh (NB: Previously seen in Kavanagh QC story “Bearing Witness” as Susannah Emmott)
Ian McNeice – Rev. King (NB: Previously seen in Inspector Morse story “Deadly Slumber” as Pathologist. Also Cry Freedom [uncredited])
Matthew Marsh – Henry McEwan (NB: Previously seen in ‘Out of the Blue’ as Alan Dysart)
Rachael Stirling – Zoe Kenneth
Michael Pennington – Dr. Melville (NB: Previously seen in Kavanagh QC story “Diplomatic Baggage” as Ralph Merridew)
Chike Okonkwo – Jonjo Read
Kate Miles – Nova Rose
Gillian Bevan – Sadie McEwan (NB: Previously seen in Kavanagh QC story “Ancient History” as Lucy Beck)
David Ryall – Mr. Cooper (NB: Previously seen in Drake’s Venture as Sir Francis Wishingham. Also Inspector Morse story “Driven to Distraction” as Derek Whittaker)
Oliver Milburn – Charlies Newton
Philip Battley – Will McEwan
Bruce Pennington – Dr. Metville
Colin Dexter – Stood in doorway talking when Lewis and Hathaway walk past (Uncredited)
Radio Times Choice (Alison Graham, 9 March 2008)
It’s an abstruse tale of homosexuality, shame and repression that’s peopled by odd characters, including a silly lawyer who seems to have stepped straight out of a PG Wodehouse story, and which features some ridiculously outré portrayals of gay men.
Lewis - Series 2/Episode 4
Filmed between September 07 and February 08
Episode called: “The Great and the Good”
Directed by Stuart Orme
Written by
Screened on Sunday 9th March 2008
Viewing figures for UK: 8.70 million (No 7 in top 30)
Plot Outline:
Did teacher Oswald Cooper drug and rape one of his students, Beatrice Donnelly? Lewis and Hathaway are convinced he did, but Cooper appears to have a water-tight alibi. When Cooper is murdered, Beatrice's father admits to being at the scene of the crime, and Lewis is obliged to arrest him. However, the detective's instincts tell him he has the wrong man, prompting him to look again at those who provided Cooper's alibi.
Cast
Kevin Whately – DI Robert Lewis
Laurence Fox – DS James Hathaway
Clare Holman – Dr. Laura Hobson
Rebecca Front – Chief Superintendent Innocent
Jason Watkins - Oswald Cooper
Laura Rees - Beatrice Donnelly
Richard McCabe – Gavin Matthews
Daniela Nardini – Magda Donnelly
Sean McGinley – Keiran Donnelly
Laura O’Toole – Doctor
Emily Bruni – Jessamine Matthews
Marian McLoughlin – Phoebe
Tim Dutton – Simon Ashton
Wendy Nottingham – Susan Wheldon
Radio Times Choice (Alison Graham, 16 March 2008)
“It’s my life, not some bloomin’ pub quiz!” harrumphs DI Lewis, hobbling along a drizzly Oxford thoroughfare like a sofa bed in a wool-mix car coat.
Never TV’s most electrifying entity, tonight’s episode sees the dullard plummet to hitherto unthinkable levels of haplessness when, following an ill-fated bout of squash with a visibly bore DS Hathaway (“AAARGH! MY BACK”), the wincing plod receives a mysterious letter regarding his late wife. The mood is thus set for a particularly glum final installment of the sluggish detective series.”
This entire episode guide comes to us courtesy of our good friend Janet, who has put a lot of time and effort into compiling it. Our thanks go out to her for all her hard work!
