By Dakota Blue Richards has joined the cast of ITV's Endeavour as a regular character.
The former Skins and Golden Compass star will play WPC Shirley Trewlove in the Inspector Morse prequel series opposite Shaun Evans as the title character.
Trewlove is described as a "thorough, determined and forthright" officer, who becomes a valuable member of the force and attracts the admiration of Endeavour.
Creator Russell Lewis said of the character: "Bright, capable and brave, WPC Shirley Trewlove is a very welcome addition to the ranks of Oxford's Finest. While very much a young woman of the 1960s, Trewlove also evokes a very particular kind of timeless British heroine.
"The sort of clear-eyed, resourceful young woman one wouldn't be surprised to find behind the wheel of the ambulance in Ice Cold in Alex or keeping Robert Donat company across the moors in The 39 Steps. In Dakota we have found our perfect Trewlove."
Richards said: "It's very exciting to be joining the talented cast of Endeavour. WPC Trewlove is incredibly astute and enthusiastic and I can't wait to see how her story unfolds."
What to Read Next
Endeavour's third series picks up from 2014's previous run, which saw Endeavour framed for the murder of Chief Constable Rupert Standish, while DI Fred Thursday (Roger Allam)'s life hung in the balance after being shot in the chest.
Series three will have four two-hour episodes, which are once again written by creator Russell Lewis. Inspector Morse author Colin Dexter also returns as a consultant for the series.
Dakota Blue Richards is best known for playing lead character Lyra Belacqua in The Golden Compass and Franky Fitzgerald in E4's Skins. In 2015, she has starred in a touring production of Tom Stoppard's play Arcadia as Thomasina Coverly.
