Vera crews descend on town as filming gets underway for hit ITV series

Daniel Hordon
·2-min read
Vera actress Brenda Blethyn in character in Hexham on Tuesday (May 23) as crews descended on the town for filming. <i>(Image: Newsquest)</i>
Vera actress Brenda Blethyn in character in Hexham on Tuesday (May 23) as crews descended on the town for filming. (Image: Newsquest)

Vera film crews were spotted out on location this week ahead of the latest series of the hit ITV show.

Brenda Blethyn, donned in Vera’s trademark coat and hat, was spotted in Hexham marketplace on Tuesday as filming for series 13 of the North East-based show continued.

The Northern Echo: Vera filming in Hexham
The Northern Echo: Vera filming in Hexham

Vera filming in Hexham (Image: Newsquest)

Crowds gathered to watch the award-winning actress in action before the town’s famous abbey.

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ITV confirmed that the show would return for a new series earlier this year, after series 12 concluded.

The Northern Echo: Filming attracted quite the crowd.
The Northern Echo: Filming attracted quite the crowd.

Filming attracted quite the crowd. (Image: Newsquest)

The Northern Echo: Blethyn as DCI Vera Stanhope
The Northern Echo: Blethyn as DCI Vera Stanhope

Blethyn as DCI Vera Stanhope (Image: Newsquest)

It was announced that actor David Leon would reprise his role as Vera’s sidekick DS Joe Ashworth after leaving the show in 2014. He will replace Kenny Doughty who has played DS Aiden Healey, Vera’s right-hand man, since Leon’s departure.

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Speaking at the time Brenda Blethyn said: “I'm absolutely over the moon to welcome David back to the show and can’t wait to get started.”

The Northern Echo:
The Northern Echo:

One of ITV’s biggest shows it regularly pulls in big viewing figures with an average of 6 million tuning in for the last series.

Crews will continue filming around the region this week with locations for Bank Holiday Monday (May 29) and Tuesday (May 30) being revealed as the Points Bridge below Hagg Bank in Wylam. The local parish council confirmed the bridge would be closed due to filming.