Vera (TV series) explained

Genre:Crime drama
Mystery
Creator:Ann Cleeves
Composer:Ben Bartlett
Country:United Kingdom
Language:English
Num Series:13
Num Episodes:54
List Episodes:List of Vera episodes
Executive Producer:Elaine Collins
Kate Bartlett
Kate Lewis
Myar Craig-Brown
Michael Dawson
Will Nicholson
Letitia Knight
Producer:Elaine Collins
Elwan Rowlands
Margaret Mitchell
Debbie Shewell
Runtime:89–91 minutes
Company:ITV Studios (2011–2017)
Silverprint Pictures (2018–present)
Network:ITV

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] It was then announced that the series, to air in early 2025, would be the show's last.[2]

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.[3]

Production

The series is filmed in Newcastle upon Tyne and throughout Northumberland, County Durham and North Yorkshire in North East England. Locations include Gateshead, South Shields, North Shields, Whitley Bay, Amble, Warkworth, Alnmouth, Bamburgh, and Holy Island.[4] The farmhouse used for the exterior shots of Vera's home is located on the Snook, part of Holy Island at 55.6861°N -1.8414°W or .

"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]

Cast

Episodes

See main article: List of Vera episodes.

Home releases

SeriesRelease date
Region 1Region 2
(UK)
Region 2
(Germany)
Region 4
130 August 2011[14] 23 May 2011[15] 4 April 2014[16] 9 August 2012[17]
26 November 2012[18] 21 May 2012[19] 24 July 2015[20] 3 December 2014[21]
328 January 2014[22] 16 September 2013[23] 4 September 2015[24] 3 December 2014[25]
428 October 2014[26] 19 May 2014[27] 19 February 2016[28] 3 December 2014[29]
522 September 2015[30] 11 May 2015[31] 3 February 2017[32] 9 September 2015[33]
628 June 2016[34] 7 March 2016[35] 2 February 2018[36] 13 April 2016[37]
724 October 2017[38] 17 April 2017[39] 7 May 2018[40] 13 September 2017[41]
84 December 2018[42] 26 February 2018[43] 27 September 2019[44] 8 May 2019[45]
97 January 2020[46] 25 February 2019[47] 14 February 2020[48] 5 August 2020[49]
105 January 2021[50] 2 March 2020[51] 4 November 2020[52]
1127 February 2023[53] 31 August 2022[54]
1220 March 2023[55] 17 April 2024[56]
1326 February 2024[57] 11 September 2024[58]
Multiple sets
1–213 August 2012[59]
1–316 September 2013[60] 29 January 2021[61]
1–425 August 2014[62]
1–55 October 2015[63] 9 September 2015[64]
1–614 September 2016[65]
1–723 October 2018[66] 13 September 2017[67]
1–819 March 2018[68] 8 May 2019[69]
1–925 February 2019[70] 5 August 2020[71]
1–109 March 2020[72] 4 November 2020[73]
1–1127 February 2023[74] 31 August 2022[75]
1–1326 February 2024[76]
4–630 September 2022[77]
7–96 December 2023[78]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Vera to return for 2 more episodes, ITV confirms . 2024-01-23 . Radio Times . en-GB.
  2. Web site: TV legend, 78, quits acclaimed ITV drama after 13 years . 2024-04-22 . Metro . en-GB.
  3. Web site: Vera. TV.com.
  4. Web site: Northumberland: Full-Day Tour of Vera Filming Locations | GetYourGuide.
  5. Web site: Schedule for Sunday 13th May.
  6. Web site: All Things Law And Order: ITV Renews Law & Order UK; Agyeman & Walter Not Returning. 24 August 2012 .
  7. Web site: Filming commences as Brenda Blethyn returns for a fifth series of ITV's popular crime drama Vera. itv.com.
  8. Web site: ITV Where Drama Lives Promo Winter 2015. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211118/R305JQbT4TA. 2021-11-18 . live. YouTube. 30 November 2015.
  9. Web site: Vera: Series 5 Debuting, Series 6 Commissioned. The British TV Place.
  10. Web site: TV's Vera Stanhope - from the books by Ann Cleeves. AnnCleeves.com.
  11. Web site: Vera Renewed For Series 11. Deadline.com. 15 January 2020 .
  12. News: ITV Vera role for Hollyoaks villain Rhiannon Clements as cast 'shaken up' for new series. Chronicle Live. 31 August 2023.
  13. Web site: Vera Series 10 | Interview with Jon Morrison (DC Kenny Lockhart). 1 January 2020. 25 August 2020.
  14. Web site: Vera DVD. blu-ray.com. 21 August 2022.
  15. Web site: Vera - Series 1 [DVD]]. amazon.co.uk. 23 May 2011 . 21 August 2022.
  16. Web site: Vera: Ein ganz spezieller Fall - Staffel 1 [4 DVDs]]. amazon.de. 4 April 2014 . 22 August 2022.
  17. Web site: Vera Series 1. booktopia.com.au. 21 August 2022.
  18. Web site: Vera: Set 2 DVD. blu-ray.com. 21 August 2022.
  19. Web site: Vera: Series 2 [DVD] [2012]]. amazon.co.uk. 21 May 2012 . 21 August 2022.
  20. Web site: Vera: Ein ganz spezieller Fall - Staffel 2 [4 DVDs]]. amazon.de. 24 July 2015 . 22 August 2022.
  21. Web site: Vera Series 2. booktopia.com.au. 21 August 2022.
  22. Web site: Vera: Set 3 DVD. blu-ray.com. 21 August 2022.
  23. Web site: Vera - Series 3 [DVD]]. amazon.co.uk. 16 September 2013 . 21 August 2022.
  24. Web site: Vera: Ein ganz spezieller Fall - Staffel 3 [4 DVDs]]. amazon.de. 4 September 2015 . 22 August 2022.
  25. Web site: Vera Series 3. booktopia.com.au. 21 August 2022.
  26. Web site: Vera: Set 4 DVD. blu-ray.com. 21 August 2022.
  27. Web site: Vera - Series 4 [DVD]]. amazon.co.uk. 19 May 2014 . 21 August 2022.
  28. Web site: Vera: Ein ganz spezieller Fall - Staffel 4 [4 DVDs]]. amazon.de. 19 February 2016 . 22 August 2022.
  29. Web site: Vera Series 4. booktopia.com.au. 21 August 2022.
  30. Web site: Vera: Set 5 DVD. blu-ray.com. 21 August 2022.
  31. Web site: Vera - Series 5 [DVD]]. amazon.co.uk. 11 May 2015 . 21 August 2022.
  32. Web site: Vera: Ein ganz spezieller Fall - Staffel 5 [4 DVDs]]. amazon.de. 3 February 2017 . 22 August 2022.
  33. Web site: Vera Series 5. booktopia.com.au. 21 August 2022.
  34. Web site: Vera: Set 6 DVD. blu-ray.com. 21 August 2022.
  35. Web site: Vera: Series 6 [DVD]]. amazon.co.uk. 7 March 2016 . 21 August 2022.
  36. Web site: Vera: Ein ganz spezieller Fall/Staffel 6 [4 DVDs]]. amazon.de. 2 February 2018 . 22 August 2022.
  37. Web site: Vera Series 6. booktopia.com.au. 21 August 2022.
  38. Web site: Vera: Set 7 [DVD]]. bestbuy.com. 21 August 2022.
  39. Web site: Vera - Series 7 [DVD] [2017]]. amazon.co.uk. 17 April 2017 . 21 August 2022.
  40. Web site: Vera: Ein ganz spezieller Fall/Staffel 7 [4 DVDs]]. amazon.de. 7 May 2018 . 22 August 2022.
  41. Web site: Vera Series 7. booktopia.com.au. 21 August 2022.
  42. Web site: Vera: Season Eight [DVD]]. bestbuy.com. 21 August 2022.
  43. Web site: Vera - Series 8 [DVD] [2018]]. amazon.co.uk. 26 February 2018 . 21 August 2022.
  44. Web site: Vera - Ein ganz spezieller Fall / Staffel 8 [4 DVDs]]. amazon.de. 27 September 2019 . 22 August 2022.
  45. Web site: Vera Series 8. booktopia.com.au. 21 August 2022.
  46. Web site: Vera: Set 9 [DVD]]. bestbuy.com. 21 August 2022.
  47. Web site: Vera Series 9 [DVD] [2019]]. amazon.co.uk. 25 February 2019 . 21 August 2022.
  48. Web site: Vera - Ein ganz spezieller Fall - Staffel 9 [4 DVDs]]. amazon.de. 14 February 2020 . 22 August 2022.
  49. Web site: Vera Series 9. booktopia.com.au. 21 August 2022.
  50. Web site: Vera: Set 10 [DVD]]. bestbuy.com. 21 August 2022.
  51. Web site: Vera Series 10 [DVD] [2020]]. amazon.co.uk. 2 March 2020 . 21 August 2022.
  52. Web site: Vera Series 10. booktopia.com.au. 21 August 2022.
  53. Web site: Vera: Series 11 (Eps 1-6) . Amazon.co.uk . 21 January 2023.
  54. Web site: Vera - Series 11. JB Hi-Fi. 22 August 2022.
  55. Web site: Vera: Series 12 (Eps 1-4). amazon.co.uk. 20 March 2023 . 31 March 2023.
  56. Web site: Vera - Series 12 DVD. sanity.com.au. 18 July 2024.
  57. Web site: Vera: Series 13 (inc. Christmas Special) [DVD]]. amazon.co.uk. 26 February 2024 . 18 July 2024.
  58. Web site: Vera - Series 13 DVD. sanity.com.au. 18 July 2024.
  59. Web site: Vera Series 1-2 [DVD]]. amazon.co.uk. 13 August 2012. 22 August 2022.
  60. Web site: Vera: Complete Series 1-3 DVD. blu-ray.com. 22 August 2022.
  61. Web site: Vera: Ein ganz spezieller Fall - Sammelbox 1 [12 DVDs]]. amazon.de. 29 January 2021 . 22 August 2022.
  62. Web site: Vera - Complete Series 1-4 [DVD]]. amazon.co.uk. 25 August 2014. 22 August 2022.
  63. Web site: Vera Complete - Series 1-5 [DVD] [2015]]. amazon.co.uk. 5 October 2015. 22 August 2022.
  64. Web site: Vera Series 1 - 5. booktopia.com.au. 22 August 2022.
  65. Web site: Vera Series 1 - 6. booktopia.com.au. 22 August 2022.
  66. Web site: Vera DVD. blu-ray.com. 22 August 2022.
  67. Web site: Vera: Series 1 - 7 (DVD). Ezy DVD. 22 August 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20170801214422/https://www.ezydvd.com.au/DVD/Vera-Series-1-7/dp/6211042. 1 August 2017.
  68. Web site: Vera Series 1-8 [DVD]]. amazon.co.uk. 19 March 2018 . 22 August 2022.
  69. Web site: Vera Series 1 - 8. booktopia.com.au. 22 August 2022.
  70. Web site: Vera Series 1-9 [DVD] [2018]]. amazon.co.uk. 25 February 2019 . 22 August 2022.
  71. Web site: Vera: Series 1 - 9 (DVD). Ezy DVD. 22 August 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20200711231637/https://www.ezydvd.com.au/DVD/Vera-Series-1-9/dp/6222321. 11 July 2020.
  72. Web site: Vera Series 1 - 10 [DVD] [2020]]. amazon.co.uk. 9 March 2020 . 22 August 2022.
  73. Web site: Vera Series 1 - 10. booktopia.com.au. 22 August 2022.
  74. Web site: Vera - Series 1-11 [DVD]]. amazon.co.uk. 15 February 2023.
  75. Web site: Vera - Series 1-11. JB Hi-Fi. 22 August 2022.
  76. Web site: Vera: Series 1-13 [DVD]]. amazon.co.uk. 26 February 2024 . 18 July 2024.
  77. Web site: Vera: ein ganz spezieller Fall - Sammelbox 2 (Staffel 4-6) [12 DVDs]]. amazon.de. 18 July 2022.
  78. Web site: Vera - Series 7-9 Boxset DVD. sanity.com.au. 18 July 2024.