Vera filming in Hartlepool - Brenda Blethyn is back on the case as ITV series returns to town

Series star Brenda Blethyn, who plays the dogged detective of the title, visited the town’s marina and Headland on Monday, October 26, to shoot scenes for the next series of the programme.

A small crowd of fans and onlookers gathered to watch the programme being filmed in and around Albion Terrace on the Headland on the afternoon.

Brenda Blethyn wore her trademark coat, hat and scarf for the scenes and was also joined by actor Kenny Doughty who plays DS Aiden Healy.

Earlier Blethyn and a number of police vehicles were on Hartlepool Marina where the former Dockmaster's Office of Abdiel House doubled as a police station.

Hartlepool Marina manager Shaun Houghton-Birrell said: “We supported the film crew to do some shots at the rear of the marina office and benefit from the ease of access to the boat yard area.

"We look forward to working with them in the future and hopefully doing more on the water.”

In August, ITV announced confirmed Blethyn is returning to the role of DCI Vera Stanhope for six ‘emotionally compelling’ feature length episodes for its eleventh series once again set against the backdrop of the North East.

Filming was delayed earlier in the year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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.”

It is understood two episodes are planned to be shown next year with four more episodes to be shot in the spring, and scheduled for release in 2022.

Last week, the crew was in Chester-le-Street for filming.

The new series, based on the novels by Ann Cleeves, will open with the discovery of a well-respected local builder found beaten to death on the steps of Tynemouth’s Collingwood Monument.

Hartlepool has featured several times in the programme over the years including last year when The Staincliffe Hotel at Seaton Carew was used as a care home.

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