Endeavour’s DCI Fred Thursday may not have been able to amble off into retirement at last night’s conclusion of the ITV drama’s fifth series – but fans were more relieved the character wasn’t shuffling off his mortal coil.
With Thursday – played by Roger Allam – constantly referring to how much he was looking forward to giving up the job throughout the show’s most recent run, viewers had been worried he had been tempting fate and could be killed off before being put out to pasture.
But those hints turned out to be a red herring when, due to Oxford City Police cutbacks, the Cowley police station was closed down and Thursday’s anticipated permanent clocking off from work had to be delayed.
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Bad news for Thursday, good news for Thursday fans who can now expect to see the veteran detective feature in the sixth series next year.
Annnnnd breathe. Thursday survives another year. What. A. Ride. #Endeavour
— Pieter (@pieterdho) March 11, 2018
Kept waiting for #Thursday to get shot. Thankfully he was safe! #Endeavour
— Sue Reeve (@mrsverypicky) March 11, 2018
Superb finale to #Endeavour. Although I was on edge throughout in case anything happened to #Thursday. Love @All_Allam in the role.
— Eleanor Pullen (@ripley79) March 11, 2018
Im really loving #Endeavour but it wouldn’t be the same without Thursday, he’s just an all round great guy 😍
— Heather Starlet (@Starlet_Heather) March 11, 2018
However, the whole gang will not be getting back together. WPC Trewlove’s posting to another station will not play a part in the immediate future of the show, with actress Dakota Blue Richards confirming on Twitter she will be moving on.
When I first started on @EndeavourTV three years ago, I couldn’t have anticipated the immense love I would feel for everybody involved. Thank you for being talented colleagues, wonderful friends and a beautiful family, you are all wonderful.
Goodbye Trewlove 💋 pic.twitter.com/qPCwsGTMLB
— Dakota Blue Richards (@DakotaBlueR) March 11, 2018
Neither will DC George Fancy (played by Lewis Peek) be back on the beat, with the young officer unexpectedly shot dead.
Loyal fans were, of course, gutted.
Just watched last episode of #Endeavour again, really going to miss Fancy & Trewlove 😢 Can we have a Trewlove spin-off please!!
— Louise (@boredgirl73) March 12, 2018
Fancy’s exit, however, did seem a little overshadowed by viewers’ relief it wasn’t Thursday being bumped off.
I’m so not bothered about Fancy lol #Endeavour as long as it’s not Thursday
— Alison Bennett (@alisonbennett26) March 11, 2018
Praise be that Thursday made it and that #Endeavour will be back, but poor old George.
— Caroline Johns (@CiesseJay) March 11, 2018
#Endeavour Thursday survives!! Last 10 minutes spent barely breathing and hoping he survives
— Liza (@Lamb77Liza) March 11, 2018
Fred Thursday lives to fight another day. Carry on coppering old boy. #Endeavour pic.twitter.com/zf33wLP9q0
— SirBrianCannonHunter (@TheCannonHunter) March 11, 2018
In a chat with the Radio Times, executive producer Damien Timmer said it was not the intention to ‘trick’ viewers into thinking Thursday was on his way out, but did highlight how Thursday lending money to his roguish brother indicated there circumstances might come up that make it difficult for Thursday to leave work.
“One of the things that the show has always been preoccupied with is the world changing around our heroes,” said Timmer.
“And I think that’s very appropriate when dealing with a character like Thursday who has spent a very long time, has grown up in that Oxford City police force, and feels that perhaps this is time for him to take his leave. But events conspire against him.”
At least we know Morse himself has a few more cases ahead of him…
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