TV crews spotted in North East for filming of ITV drama Vera

Following a delay due to the coronavirus pandemic, filming for series 11 of Vera is now under way and the cast and crew spotted shooting scenes in Tynemouth today (Monday, September 28).

Last month ITV announced confirmed Brenda Blethyn will return to the role of DCI Vera Stanhope for six ‘emotionally compelling’ feature length episodes set against the backdrop of the North East.

Two episodes will be filmed this autumn until Christmas for broadcast in 2021 and the remaining four episodes will go into production from spring 2021 to be broadcast the following year.

A number of TV vans were spotted in a Tynemouth street while crew members, who were all wearing masks, set the scene and began filming of the first two episodes in the new series, which is made by Silverprint Pictures

Brenda Blethyn said previously: “I’m really looking forward to working on the next series of Vera. The safety of all personnel is always at the forefront of production, and with all the extra Covid precautions in place we will relish creating and delivering six cracking new episodes.”

The eleventh series, based on the novels by Ann Cleeves, opens when the body of well-respected local builder, Jim Tullman, is found beaten to death on the steps of the Collingwood Monument.

DCI Vera Stanhope, played by Brenda Blethyn, questions how such a seemingly beloved and imposing figure could be attacked so viciously. The mystery deepens when she discovers that Tullman was due to testify in court as the key witness in a violent assault.

As Vera delves deeper into Jim Tullman’s life she discovers unresolved bitterness between his estranged wife Barbara and doting son John Paul, while tensions with old family friends Gary and Lesley Clayton threaten to spill over.

Kenny Doughty will return as sidekick Detective Sergeant Aiden Healy and actors such as Jon Morrision, who plats DC Kenny Lockhard, Riley Jones, who plays DC Mark Edwards, and Ibinabo Jack, who plays DC Jacqueline Williams, will reunited for the eleventh series.

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