Lewis fans rejoice! The seventh series of the Oxford set police drama will return Monday, January 7th.

Earlier in 2012 Kevin Whatley, who has portrayed Robbie Lewis since 1987, fueled the rumor that he would not return to do another series of the popular crime drama. Citing the fact that his character was at retirement age Whatley wanted to leave the demanding work of a weekly TV series and do more theater.

Whatley had this to say about his characters return, “Lewis is starting to feel his age and he knows he’s getting near police retirement. He’s feeling the distance between his family, who are based in the North. At the same time, he’s aware Hathaway is considering his future, a subject that comes up, in a couple of the films in different ways. Also, his relationship with Hobson is starting to flourish. I think that the storyline is developed well in the script and at the right time. It’s nice to move in that direction and see Lewis happy with Hobson.”

Speculation was also rife that Whately’s Lewis costar Laurence Fox was ready to head for Hollywood and look for film work. Fox hinted that his character DS Hathaway may be contemplating his future, ‘I think he’s tired of the relentless cycle of gruesome goings-on, death, interrogation and murderers. He’s reached a point in his life where he now wants to do something else that is completely different. He needs to take a break. I think you’ve got to be built a certain way to be a police detective and maybe he just doesn’t think he’s the right person for the job.”

Changes are in store for the characters of Lewis and Hathaway as well as the format of the drama. Instead of the usual 120 minute show, the program will now be split into two 60 minute episodes. One episode a week will air meaning viewers will see one case span a two-week period with the current season featuring three cases.