British crime drama television series (2011-present)
| Vera |
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 |
| Genre | Crime drama
Mystery |
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| Created by | Ann Cleeves |
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| Starring | |
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| Composer | Ben Bartlett |
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| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
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| Original language | English |
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| No. of series | 13 |
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| No. of episodes | 54 (list of episodes) |
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| Executive producers | Elaine Collins
Kate Bartlett
Kate Lewis
Myar Craig-Brown
Michael Dawson
Will Nicholson
Letitia Knight |
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| Producers | Elaine Collins
Elwan Rowlands
Margaret Mitchell
Debbie Shewell |
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| Running time | 89-91 minutes |
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| Production companies | ITV Studios (2011–2017)
Silverprint Pictures (2018–) |
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| Network | ITV |
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| Release | 1 May 2011 (2011-05-01) –
present |
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Vera is a British crime drama television 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. In January 2024, it was confirmed that the show has been renewed for a fourteenth series.[1]
Premise
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.[2]
Production
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.[3] The farmhouse used for the exterior shots of Vera's home is located on the Snook, part of Holy Island at 55°41′10″N 001°50′29″W / 55.68611°N 1.84139°W / 55.68611; -1.84139 or grid reference NU1006543635.[4]
"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.[5]
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.[6] 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.[7] 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.[8]
In March 2015, 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 2015.[9] Noof McEwan joined the cast following the departure of Cush Jumbo.[10] On 14 January 2020, while attending the TCA Press Tour, Blethyn confirmed that Vera was renewed for an eleventh series. Production for series 11 began in April 2020 and new episodes began airing in 2021.[11] In March 2023, 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.[12]
