WITH the release of the fourth DVD boxset of the Inspector Morse detective spin-off, ITV obviously sees Lewis as a good thing.

There have been 16 episodes since it began in 2006, while it took 13 years of endeavour to make the 33 featuring Morse.

The BBC is undoubtedly best for costume dramas, Brideshead notwithstanding, but there is no doubt ITV rules when it comes to crime.

As well as Morse there’s the likes of Poirot, Marple, Midsomer Murders, Taggart, A Touch of Frost and, in this case (pun intended), Lewis.

Although it does not star the brilliant John Thaw, Lewis is still well worth a watch.

It was a good idea to have a young, well educated character in James Hathaway to contrast with the dependable older detective, Robbie Lewis.

Kevin Whately and Mr Billie Piper, Laurence Fox, are a good double act and benefit from the strengths of the old Morse episodes.

As well as good plots there’s the Oxford settings, music by Barrington Pheloung and Hitchcock-style cameo appearances by Morse creator Colin Dexter.

There are also quality casts, with stars such as Timothy West, Warren Clarke, Sophie Ward, Alan Davies and John Sessions in the current series.

There are few specific references to Morse himself, but die hard fans will be reminded of him when Lewis’s love of Wagner is mentioned. There are other examples of this.

It has also got to the point where actors who had major parts in Morse episodes are now appearing as different characters in Lewis.

Robert Hardy, Diana Quick, Rupert Graves and Mary Jo Randle fall into this category in the latest box set.

It all breeds a feeling of comfortable familiarity, but not one of contempt.

And the box sets also have one major advantage.

The episodes do not feature adverts, meaning they last around 90 minutes rather than the two hours they go on for when shown on TV.

Lewis: Series 4 is out pn DVD on May 31. £24.99.