British crime drama television series
Vera is a British crime drama series based on the Vera Stanhope series of novels by Ann Cleeves. First broadcast on ITV on 1 May 2011, it stars Brenda Blethyn as the principal character, Detective Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope.
The thirteenth series is set to start broadcast on 7 January 2024.
Premise [ edit ]
Vera is a nearly retired detective chief inspector of the fictional Northumberland & City Police, who is obsessive about her work. She plods along in a dishevelled state but has a calculating mind and despite her irascible personality, she cares deeply about her work and colleagues. She often proves her superior skills by picking up small errors in her team members' thought processes. Vera forms a close relationship with sergeants Joe Ashworth and Aiden Healy.[1]
Production [ edit ]
The series is filmed in Newcastle upon Tyne and throughout Northumberland in North East England. Locations include Gateshead, North Shields, Whitley Bay, Amble, Warkworth, Alnmouth, Bamburgh, and Holy Island.[2] The farmhouse used for the exterior shots of Vera's home is located on the Snook, part of Holy Island at or grid reference .[3]
"Hidden Depths", "Telling Tales" and "The Crow Trap" from the first series, as well as "Silent Voices" from the second series, are based on novels of the same names by Ann Cleeves. The episode "Sand Dancers" from the second series was due to be broadcast on 13 May 2012. However, the episode was pulled from the schedule as its storyline was about a soldier's death in Afghanistan and it coincided with news of two servicemen dying there.[4]
In August 2012, Vera was renewed for a third series of four episodes, with both Brenda Blethyn and David Leon confirmed as returning for the new series.[5] On 5 June 2014, ITV announced that a fifth series had been commissioned but that David Leon would not be returning. Kenny Doughty was unveiled as his successor. Letitia Knight was announced as executive producer for this series.[6] Cush Jumbo returned to the main cast following her two-episode guest stint in series two, while Lisa Hammond joined the cast as newcomer Helen Milton.[7]
In March 2024, ITV announced that the show had been renewed for a sixth series, with filming commencing in June. The third episode was announced to be an adaptation of the novel The Moth Catcher, which was set to be published in September 2024.[8] Noof McEwan joined the cast following the departure of Cush Jumbo.[9] On 14 January 2024, while attending the TCA Press Tour, Blethyn confirmed that Vera was renewed for an eleventh series. Production for series 11 began in April 2024 and new episodes began airing in 2024.[10] In March 2024, ITV had announced that the thirteenth series was renewed with filming commenced in mid-May. It will feature former Hollyoaks actress Rhiannon Clements as DC Stephanie Duncan.[11]
Cast [ edit ]
Episodes [ edit ]
Series Episodes Originally aired Average UK viewers
(millions) First aired Last aired 1 4 1 May 2011 ( ) 22 May 2011 ( 2011-05-22 ) 6.60 2 4 22 April 2012 ( ) 3 June 2012 ( 2012-06-03 ) 6.37 3 4 25 August 2013 ( ) 15 September 2013 ( 2013-09-15 ) 6.53 4 4 27 April 2014 ( ) 18 May 2014 ( 2014-05-18 ) 6.42 5 4 5 April 2024 ( ) 26 April 2024 ( 2024-04-26 ) 6.19 6 4 31 January 2024 ( ) 21 February 2024 ( 2024-02-21 ) 7.88 7 4 19 March 2024 ( ) 9 April 2024 ( 2024-04-09 ) 8.07 8 4 7 January 2024 ( ) 28 January 2024 ( 2024-01-28 ) 9.03 9 4 13 January 2024 ( ) 3 February 2024 ( 2024-02-03 ) 8.48 10 4 12 January 2024 ( ) 2 February 2024 ( 2024-02-02 ) 8.30 11 6 29 August 2024 ( ) 22 January 2024 ( 2024-01-22 ) 6.97 12 4 29 January 2024 ( ) 19 February 2024 ( 2024-02-19 ) 6.02 Special 26 December 2024 ( ) TBA 13 3 7 January 2024 ( ) 21 January 2024 ( 2024-01-21 ) TBA
Home releases [ edit ]
Notes [ edit ]
^ [52] Episodes 3 and 4 were released on 31 January 2024,[53] while Episodes 5 and 6 were released on 27 February 2024,[54] on the same day the complete eleven series was made available. The eleventh series was split into three individual sets in the UK: Episodes 1 and 2 were released on 27 September 2024,Episodes 3 and 4 were released on 31 January 2024,while Episodes 5 and 6 were released on 27 February 2024,on the same day the complete eleven series was made available.
