Vera season 11: release date, cast, trailer and latest news
Brenda Blethyn returns as DCI Vera Stanhope in the final episodes of season 11 of the ITV drama.
Following a mid-season break, Vera Stanhope (played by Brenda Blethyn) is returning to ITV tonight (Sunday 15th January).
The Geordie detective, who leads the Vera cast, has two complex cases left to solve before season 11 comes to a close. If you're a devoted fan of the show, you'll know that the final cases are set to be anything but straightforward and these final episodes are certainly not going to be an easy ride for her, with both of them likely to test her to her limit.
The next episode is called Vital Signs, and follows Vera as she tries to track down the murderer of a doctor, Lucy.
She soon finds that Lucy has her share of enemies and has been keeping complex secrets, so it isn't long before Vera is left wondering who had the strongest motive.
Set across the Northumbrian countryside, Vera's filming locations never fail to impress as she makes herself around the North East solving crimes.
Here's everything you need to know about Vera and when the rest of season 11 will air on ITV.
Vera season 11 release date
Vera season 11 will continue on Sunday 15th January on ITV, following a mid-series break.
Season 11 began on Sunday 29th August, with episode two airing the following week on ITV.
And in good news for fans, Vera season 12 is following hot on the heels of the return of season 11.
Will there be a season 12 of Vera?
There most certainly will be!
Fans of the Geordie detective will be pleased to have her back on screen this January, but the first two stories are actually from season 11 so technically season 12 will kick off on Sunday 29th January at 8pm on ITV1.
The six self-contained crime stories (two episodes from series 11 and four episodes from series 12) will once again be set against the backdrop of the North East and will see DCI Vera (Blethyn) return, leading her diligent team of detectives as they investigate even more complex and murderous crimes.
Vera season 11 plot
The series will, as ever, be taking place against the backdrop of Northumbria's landscape.
Season 10 of the detective drama raked in an average of 7.5 million viewers for ITV, a big success for the channel. According to Chronicle Live, executive producer Phil Hunter said in February he was "so proud" of Vera's "continued success".
"I'm thrilled at how much the Vera fans enjoy watching year on year," he said. "Season 10 brought to the screens another four emotionally compelling stories that were an absolute joy to produce.
"I'm continually overwhelmed by the commitment from our amazing writers, our outstanding crew and fabulous cast; the dedication, passion and craft that goes into each and every episode is what makes the show so great. We can't wait to begin filming on season 11!"
The series is based on Ann Cleeves’ Vera novels, with Cleeves' latest Christmas-set Vera book, The Darkest Evening, hitting the shelves back in 2020 and offering plenty of opportunities for adaptation.
How many episodes are in Vera season 11?
There will be six standalone episodes, each of them feature length, as in previous series.
Vera season 11 cast
The Vera cast features Brenda Blethyn, of course, as the eponymous Vera, alongside Kenny Doughty returning as Detective Sergeant Aiden Healy who has worked hard to prove himself as DCI Stanhope's trustworthy partner.
Rounding out the investigative team are Jon Morrison as DC Kenny Lockhart and Riley Jones as DC Mark Edwards. And then there's Ibinabo Jack who portrays DC Jacqueline Williams, a transfer from the Fraud Squad in season 8.
Paul Kaye joined the cast as pathologist Dr Malcolm Donahue (above) back in season 9. "Paul brings a very interesting dynamic to his character and the show," Blethyn said of the casting. "Malcolm is very stern which can often come across as him being rude. He is there to get a very serious job done so he doesn’t hold back if he feels Vera is overstepping the mark or cross examining his work."
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Vera filming locations
Vera has gained a reputation for its breathtaking landscapes and backdrops from the North East, and season 11 will hopefully be no exception.
Filming locations for previous episodes have included Holy Island, Lindisfarne, and Spanish City in Whitley Bay.
Blethyn, who was born in Kent, says: "I can honestly say I love the beauty of Northumberland, whether it’s a seascape, landscape, the moors, or the city. It’s stunning."
One slightly less glamorous location for the new series was the rubbish tip we see in the episode Blind Spot. "Working on the second biggest landfill in Northumberland in the summer is not really the best place to be!" Blethyn reports. "The methane was overwhelming. We all had specific instructions to wear special boots in case a nail went through our footwear."
Where can I watch previous seasons of Vera?
Select episodes are available on the ITV Hub, while seasons 1-9 are available on BritBox – you can sign up for a 7-day free BritBox trial here. You can also purchase instalments from any series on Amazon Prime Video.
Vera season 11 continues on Sunday 15th January, with season 12 airing later this January 2023 on ITV. To find out what else is on, check out our TV Guide or visit our dedicated Drama hub. You can buy the first of Ann Cleeves' Vera novels here.
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