Into the Woods

After watching all nine seasons of “Masterpiece Endeavour,” I found myself in a serious state of Endeavour withdrawal and was desperate for something just as good to watch next. I considered the 1980s series “Inspector Morse,” but it seemed a little too dated (though I love the red Jaguar). I checked Shaun Evans’ filmography and found that his most recent role was in “Vigil,” which was broadcast on BBC One in 2021. As far as I could tell, the only way to watch “Vigil” in the U.S. is to subscribe to NBC’s Peacock streaming service. So that’s what I did, at $4.99 a month.

A bonus in “Vigil” is that the lead character is played by Suranne Jones, of “Gentleman Jack.” Another bonus in “Vigil” is that it’s set in Scotland, though it mostly takes place inside a Royal Navy submarine, the HMS Vigil.

I’ve only watched one episode so far (of six in the first season). There will be a second season, which probably will be broadcast in the U.K. next year.

It was amusing reading some of the snarky reviews of “Vigil,” including this one in the Telegraph: “A TV drama so bad it could be Russian propaganda.”

I’m easy, I guess. With Shaun Evans, Suranne Jones, and all those beautiful Scottish accents, how could I not like it?

Speaking of accents: In “Endeavour,” Shaun Evans uses an accent appropriate to his background as a former Oxford student. Evans is from Liverpool, though, and his native accent is a Liverpool accent. There are television interviews in which you can hear his native accent. I have read that he was reluctant for his fans to hear his Liverpool accent, for fear that it would break the spell. And speaking of Liverpool, the northwest of England is one of the not-too-many parts of England I haven’t visited. It sounds like a fascinating city, and I think I just might go there on my next visit.