Laurence Fox "doesn't know" if he'd want to do another series of 'Lewis'.

Laurence Fox

Laurence Fox

The 40-year-old actor starred as DS James Hathaway in the popular ITV crime drama from the pilot in 2006 until it was axed in 2015.

And while he's still in touch his co-star Kevin Whately - who portrayed his colleague Inspector Robbie Lewis - there hasn't been talk of making a new series, though he suggested that "maybe" they should start a "campaign" for its return.

Asked if he still keeps in contact with Kevin, Laurence said: "I see Kev loads. We've been through lots of stuff together.

"He's a great guy - I love him. No one's phoned me up and said they want Lewis back. I don't know if I'd do it.

"Maybe we should start a campaign. But I've never felt it's good to beg for work!"

Laurence can currently be seen playing politician Lord Palmerston in 'Victoria', and compared his cheeky alter-ego to children's novel character Willy Wonka and British MP Boris Johnson.

He told What's On TV: "It's a great part. He's naughty and mischievous. It's so much fun.

"There's an element of Willy Wonka and of Boris Johnson in him and that off the cuff rudeness. "Palmerston niggles people and pokes the elephant in the room and enjoys it.

"He's clever too, with a clear political vision. But I'm the king of one-liners on this show. My favourite is, 'I like nothing more than ministering to a duchess in distress!'"

The former 'Foyle's War' star also gushed about his co-star Jenna Coleman - who portrays the titular Queen Victoria in the period drama - who he praised for only raising her voice "by about half a decibel" when she has to get "angry".

He said: "She's fantastic, isn't she? When she has to get angry with me, she raises her voice by only about half a decibel. "There's no shouting. She's poised and has to do most of her acting with her eyes, because she's the Queen and she can't give much away."