Lewis is Back in Oxford -- June 2015

It's always fun to come across a film shoot of Lewis.  I think this might be the last season for Lewis so it's is especially meaningful to see this beloved series come back to Oxford for one last time.  There was a scene being rehearsed on Catte Street today with Angela Griffin as the lead.  No sign of Lewis or Hathaway -- at least not in this scene. 

  

They're Back -- Kevin Whately Filming Lewis in Oxford

I've seen the LWS signs around Oxford this week which means they have been filming Lewis.  This morning I saw the crew filming in front of the White Horse Pub on Broad Street.

They did one take of Kevin Whately and the lovely Angela Griffin walking across Broad Street while I was changing the battery on my camera.  By the time I was done, the shoot was over.  One take was enough.  I missed it!

 The Crew and fans in front of Blackwell's Music store

 Lewis in front of the White Horse Pub

 Kevin Whately has spent enough time in Oxford over the years to know to watch for bicyclists before crossing the road

 Taking down the dolly tracks

 That's a wrap

 Getting ready for promotional shots

Taking promotional shots in front of the Sheldonian Theater: Angela Griffin and Kevin Whately

Filming Lewis in Oxford

"Lewis" has been filming all week throughout various locations in Oxford.  I came upon this film shoot on the Cherwell at the edge of Christchurch Meadow. 

In the two videos here Kevin Whately and Laurence Fox, who play Lewis and Hathaway, are getting ready for a scene by paddling upstream. For the actual the scene see the link below:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-NgL0uiQZE

This is how you know there is a film shoot going on -- these signs are everywhere directing the crew and technical trucks to the Lewis Base Camp (LWS BASE) or select crew to the locations (LOC)

Lewis is a British television detective drama made as a spin-off from Inspector Morse. Like that series, it is set primarily in Oxford.

Kevin Whately's Lewis is one of television longest standing detectives.  He played the assistant to John Thaw's Inspector Morse from 1987 to 2000 (32 episodes).  Then he played Lewis from 2006 to 2014 (30 episodes).   

From a BBC news article:  "The detective drama concluded last February with the two lead characters retiring, after stars Kevin Whately and Laurence Fox decided to leave the show.

However, ITV has commissioned six new hour-long episodes, which will see Inspector Lewis and his assistant Hathaway drafted back into the force."

 I have thoroughly enjoyed the series, in part because it is such a valentine to Oxford...

...and in part because I find the writing really smart and the story lines complex.  I also love the characters  and the relationship between Lewis and Hathaway 

More from the BBC article: "Since we started producing the series in 2006, Lewis has achieved a reputation for thought-provoking stories and we're determined to continue to set high standards."

 ITV's director of drama Steve November added: "Viewers have a great deal of respect for Inspector Lewis and a huge loyalty to Kevin Whately."

At the end of shooting this scene, Laurence Fox took a dip on the Cherwell.  He said it was freezing cold and his assistant said he just ruined a perfectly good suit and pair of shoes.

You could tell there is a lot of fun and affection between the actors and the crew.  They have been together for a long time shooting first Inspector Morse and then Lewis over the years.

That is a wrap! Whately gets into his car and I was too shy to ask for a photo. He graciously posed with the few other gawkers there though. Colin Dexter, the author the Inspector Morse books, serves as a production consultant on Lewis. He is 84 years-old.

I must admit I feel safer in Oxford knowing Lewis and Hathaway are back on the beat.

For more information: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-26121236