THE new series of crime drama “Endeavour” will contain “many respectful tips of the trilby” to mark the 30 years since its central character’s TV debut.

    The fourth season of the show, which follows the early career of Endeavour Morse, will include “guest casting” and “heritage characters,” ITV said.

    Created by Colin Dexter, the much-loved “Inspector Morse” debuted in 1987. James Lawrenson, who appeared in that show’s first episode, will be among the cast for the new series of “Endeavour.”

    Set in the summer of 1967, the series will see Morse, played by Shaun Evans, and the rest of “Oxford’s finest picking up the pieces of their lives, both personal and professional,” the spokesman said.

    Roger Allam, Anton Lesser, Sean Rigby, James Bradshaw, Caroline O’Neil, Dakota Blue Richards and Abigail Thaw will all reprise their regular roles.

    The series will once again be written by Russell Lewis, who also wrote for “Inspector Morse” and created the spinoff show.

    “Endeavour” is the second series to have come from the original show, having been preceded by Lewis, which centered around Inspector Morse’s faithful sidekick, played by Kevin Whately. (SD-Agencies)