Lewis [2006] [DVD]

RRP £24.99

It’s taken a long time for Kevin Whately to take centre stage in a detective drama, but Lewis proves it’s been time well spent. Lewis, of course, was previously the sidekick to Inspector Morse, and that raised fair suspicions that this spin-off drama was a fairly unnecessary cash-in of sorts. But those suspicions have proven unfounded, and Lewis has emerged as one of the best new programmes to hit ITV in recent years.

The format’s not moved on a great deal since the heights of Inspector Morse, but in this case, that’s no bad thing. The episodes in this set on the whole build slowly, and build up intelligently and with diligence. Occasionally there are moments where the pace slips a little too much, but that’s more than overcome by the fact that the drama on offer here is so absorbing.

It’s all anchored, of course, by Whately’s excellent portrayal of the lead character. Eminently watchable, and clearly wearing the clothes of a character that he knows completely, it’s a smashing performance, and with the aid of an excellent supporting cast, Lewis develops into a real treat. Is it better than Morse? Well, that’s far too early too call. But on this basis of this debut, Lewis certainly has the potential for as enduring a legacy. --Jon Foster

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