Kevin Whately, best known for his roles in the long-running detective series "Inspector Morse" and its spin-off "Lewis," has taken on a new role in the Channel 5 drama "Forever Home," an adaptation of Graham Norton’s best-selling novel. Whately stars as Silent Dave, the easy-going father of the central character, in the six-part series set and filmed in his hometown of Hexham.

Whately, whose career spans several decades, revealed that the appeal of this latest role was its modest size and minimal dialogue, a departure from his previous leads. “They said it wasn’t a big part but it was being filmed in Hexham, which is my home town, and the character was called Silent Dave. I thought, ‘Oh, that sounds good, not many lines to learn!’ so I grabbed it,” he said.

Whately originally gained widespread recognition for playing Sergeant Lewis in "Inspector Morse," which aired over 13 years and consisted of 33 two-hour episodes. The series, set against the backdrop of Oxford, was widely acclaimed and won multiple BAFTAs. Following the conclusion of "Inspector Morse," Whately reprised the character in the spin-off "Lewis," which ran for nine years and at times attracted up to 11 million viewers.

Despite the popularity and success, Whately described the workload as demanding. “It doesn’t half grind you down,” he remarked, recalling his decision 11 years ago to step away from the role at age 64. “I said to ITV, ‘Kill me, because I don’t want to do it anymore.’” He noted that by then, continuing as a policeman felt less believable due to his age.

Whately credited his late co-star John Thaw, who played Inspector Morse, as a mentor and close companion during their years making the series together. “He taught me everything I know. We were like an old married couple, because we spent up to 10 hours a day together,” Whately recalled.

Born and raised in northeast England, Whately first gained acclaim as the character Neville in the comedy-drama "Auf Wiedersehen Pet" in the 1980s, and later as Dr. Jack Kerruish in "Peak Practice." While often cast as the affable “nice guy” or “Geordie boy-next-door,” Whately said this typecasting has been beneficial, allowing him to maintain steady work over the years.

At 75, Whately is no longer as active as in his heyday but continues to accept roles that interest him. “I’m not a leading man by any stretch, but I do get lovely offers,” he said.

"Forever Home" centers on Carol Crottie, played by Amy Nuttall, who becomes embroiled in a mystery after discovering a body in the basement of the family home. The drama explores tensions as Carol’s older husband Robbie, portrayed by Douglas Henshall, battles dementia while his adult children push to sell the house.

Beyond acting, Whately lives in Bedfordshire with his wife, actress Madelaine Newton. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) last year for contributions to drama and charity. He also runs The Winship Foundation, which supports young people pursuing drama and music education. The couple have two grown children, including opera singer Kitty, and Whately is a grandfather to Kitty’s two children.

"Forever Home" continues to air on Channel 5, with new episodes scheduled at 9 p.m.