Lewis recommissioned by ITV
22nd June 2011
One of ITV1’s best loved and most consistently performing dramas, Lewis, has been recommissioned by the channel.
Attracting a regular audience of more than 7 million viewers, Lewis regularly features in the top three most watched dramas in the UK on both ITV and the BBC.
Kevin Whately, who has been playing Lewis for nearly 25 years, and Laurence Fox will both reprise their roles as Inspector Robbie Lewis and his partner DS James Hathaway investigating very modern murders amidst the exquisite architecture of the ancient University of Oxford.
An ITV Studios production, Lewis is produced by Chris Burt who has been the series producer since the launch of Lewis in 2006. The executive producers are Mammoth Screen’s Michele Buck and Damien Timmer, who continue to work on the series for ITV Studios.
Three of the new films are currently titled - ‘Generation of Vipers’, ‘The Age of Foolishness’ and ‘Death of the Author’.
‘Generation of Vipers’ is written by Patrick Harbinson whilst the other episodes in this series will be written by Rachel Bennette, Simon Block and Russell Lewis, who created Lewis as a spin-off from Inspector Morse in which Kevin Whately starred with John Thaw.
The Director of the first episode will be David O’Neill (Law & Order: UK), and Toby Stephens (Jane Eyre, Die Another Day) will be guest starring.
The new series will once again feature beautiful locations in and around the city of Oxford, including the Cherwell and Isis rivers and the magnificent university colleges.
“Lewis and Hathaway have become a formidable partnership not only in terms of cracking murders cases, but also in terms of their popularity with ITV1 viewers, “ said Controller of Drama Commissioning Sally Haynes. “ We’re thrilled they are returning to work on some great new stories.”
Executive Producer Michele Buck said: “Lewis and Hathaway’s partnership has grown in popularity with every series as viewers enjoy the fine writing, acting and excellent production values Lewis has to offer."
Added Executive Producer Damien Timmer: "We’re delighted to be producing a set of new films with Chris Burt and have two strong additions to the writing team this year, with Rachel Bennette (Bel Ami starring Robert Pattinson) and Simon Block (the award winning The Shooting of Thomas Hurndall) both joining us."
The creator of Morse, Colin Dexter, continues his association with Lewis and will act as a Consultant on all aspects of the production.