The original Morse series with John Thaw won 9 BAFTAs and was nominated for 12 more. This prequel series (which was longer) not so many - in fact, none at all.
In understanding why BAFTA voters passed on this, it helps to have in mind a really good prequel as a model, as well as an acquaintance with the real Oxford - which is almost exclusively a university town, not exactly riddled with factories or nightclubs or gangs.
One of the very best prequels, ever, was the three-part "Prime Suspect: Tennison" of 2017. This series starred Stefanie Martini, and the main series from 1991 to 2006 had starred Helen Mirren. Both were written by Lynda La Plante.
Many viewers gave up on "Tennison" after parts one or two. Many critics gave the series a low rating after parts one or two, presuming it was pussy-footing, or wandering, or not sufficiently bleak or tough, or not the makings of a brilliant cop.
They really jumped the gun. Something happened in the third episode that was absolutely jaw-dropping, and quite brilliantly Stefanie Martini morphed into Helen Mirren before our eyes.
A flawless segue, which set things up for years down the road.
In the Morse prequel, Shaun Evans seems perversely to not want to morph into John Thaw, flawlessly or not. And he did a lot of the directing as well as the starring, so presumably nobody else on the team felt comfortable remarking on his take.
John Thaw's Morse really WAS Oxford. A university don persona, habitually amiable, frequently quite funny, and professor-level smart. He was authentically into high culture, and had numerous academics friends.
In contrast, Shaun Evans remained the incessant outsider, humorless, self-absorbed, and gloomy, with few or no friends who fits in poorly with the real Oxford.
While the original series elevated Oxford, this prequel diminished it. Abigail Thaw and Roger Allam and Anton Lesser all went through the motions commendably. Eight stars only for them.
In understanding why BAFTA voters passed on this, it helps to have in mind a really good prequel as a model, as well as an acquaintance with the real Oxford - which is almost exclusively a university town, not exactly riddled with factories or nightclubs or gangs.
One of the very best prequels, ever, was the three-part "Prime Suspect: Tennison" of 2017. This series starred Stefanie Martini, and the main series from 1991 to 2006 had starred Helen Mirren. Both were written by Lynda La Plante.
Many viewers gave up on "Tennison" after parts one or two. Many critics gave the series a low rating after parts one or two, presuming it was pussy-footing, or wandering, or not sufficiently bleak or tough, or not the makings of a brilliant cop.
They really jumped the gun. Something happened in the third episode that was absolutely jaw-dropping, and quite brilliantly Stefanie Martini morphed into Helen Mirren before our eyes.
A flawless segue, which set things up for years down the road.
In the Morse prequel, Shaun Evans seems perversely to not want to morph into John Thaw, flawlessly or not. And he did a lot of the directing as well as the starring, so presumably nobody else on the team felt comfortable remarking on his take.
John Thaw's Morse really WAS Oxford. A university don persona, habitually amiable, frequently quite funny, and professor-level smart. He was authentically into high culture, and had numerous academics friends.
In contrast, Shaun Evans remained the incessant outsider, humorless, self-absorbed, and gloomy, with few or no friends who fits in poorly with the real Oxford.
While the original series elevated Oxford, this prequel diminished it. Abigail Thaw and Roger Allam and Anton Lesser all went through the motions commendably. Eight stars only for them.
