Actor Kevin Whately is to be promoted to the rank of inspector for his role in 'Lewis', an 'Inspector Morse' spinoff.
Whately, who played 'Inspector Morse's sidekick Detective Sergeant Lewis in the orignal series, is set to begin filming for the spinoff later this month.
In the new series Lewis will have a new female boss Chief Superintendent Jean Innocent, who is yet to be cast.
The new inspector will also have a young partner, Cambridge graduate Detective Sergeant James Hathaway, who will be played by Laurence Fox.
Whately said: "I know it's going to be strange returning to the character of Lewis without John, but Morse's spirit pervades a great new script and I am looking forward to filming it and to seeing what has happened in Lewis' life and career."
The characters Morse and Lewis last appeared together in the 'Inspector Morse' series in November 2000, when Morse was written out of the show.
Actor John Thaw, who played Inspector Morse, died of cancer in February 2002, at the age of 60.
