'Inspector Morse' prequel 'Endeavour' to get full series?

ITV's Inspector Morse prequel Endeavour could lead to a full series, it has been announced.

Executive producers Damien Timmer and Michele Bucker confirmed to the Radio Times that talks have begun regarding the project.

"Conversations between [production company] Mammoth Screen and ITV1 are ongoing and a decision will be made in due course," said the pair.

The '60s-set Endeavour - which saw Shaun Evans take over the Morse role from John Thaw - pulled in 6.5m viewers for ITV1 on January 2.

"We're thrilled with the overwhelming response," said Timmer and Bucker. "The cries for a series are testament to Shaun Evans's remarkable performance as Detective Constable Morse, and the very tangible chemistry between him and Roger Allam as Detective Inspector Fred Thursday."

Morse's creator Colin Dexter also praised Evans, calling the 31-year-old "a very admirable and perceptive actor".

"We've been extraordinary lucky over the years to have these faithful souls like John Thaw and Kevin Whately," he said. "And if this does go to a series, I think Shaun will join them because he's got the sensitivity and vulnerability that gives people a spark of the more mature Morse."

Endeavour will air on PBS in the US later this year.

> Shaun Evans Endeavour interview: 'The young Morse is flawed'