‘Vera’ preview: Season 13 sees original co-star reunited with Brenda Blethyn
ITV has released a first look at the return of Vera!
A thirteenth season of the long-running crime drama began filming in the North East of England in May.
While we wait for the new episodes to arrive, you can catch up on every episode of Vera so far on BritBox for free with this 7-day trial!
Based on the character created by award-winning author Ann Cleeves, Vera has been a much-loved hit for ITV since it launched in 2011.
Brenda Blethyn will be back as DCI Vera Stanhope in three brand new self-contained feature-length stories.
Sadly, Kenny Doughty has announced that he won’t be returning as DS Aidan Healey.
Ibinabo Jack also won’t be reprising her role as DC Jacqueline ‘Jac’ Williams, as she’s busy with theatre work.
“It’s been such a pleasure to work alongside Kenny and Ibinabo,” commented Brenda Blethyn. “They’ve both been terrific members of the Vera team, and I’ll miss them.”
However, there’s good news too…
Original cast member David Leon is coming back!
The 43-year-old actor played Joe Ashworth in the first four seasons of Vera until 2014.
Here’s a sneak peek at David and Brenda reunited on set:
“I’m thrilled to be returning to Vera,” said David Leon. “It’s fantastic to be back in the North East and reunited with Brenda and the crew for the new series.
“I’m looking forward to exploring the relationship between Joe and Vera as they make up for lost time,” he hinted.
“I’m absolutely over the moon to welcome David back to the show,” added Brenda Blethyn.
“Stepping back into Vera’s shoes for the thirteenth series feels like coming home again,” she said. “The support from the locals in the North East is truly heart-warming and reuniting with the talented David Leon and the rest of our exceptional team is an absolute delight.”
We’re told that Vera is “taken aback” by Joe’s return in the first episode, and she’ll be “unsure of his motives,” so the pair’s reunion might not be smooth sailing!
Jon Morrison, Sarah Kameela Impey, and Riley Jones will also be back as DC Kenny Lockhart, Pathologist Dr. Paula Bennett, and DC Mark Edwards respectively.
They’ll be joined by Rhiannon Clements (Ridley) as Steph Duncan, a new and ambitious DC on Vera’s team.
Season 13 will premiere on ITV1 and streaming on ITVX next year in the UK, then on BritBox in the US at a later date.
In other exciting news for fans of British crime series, ITV has announced the renewal of four other popular detective dramas!
All twelve seasons of Vera are available to watch on BritBox with a free 7-day trial.