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Filming underway in UK on Vera S13

First pics of Brenda Blethyn and David Leon now filming 3 new Vera episodes.

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Filming is underway in the North East of the UK on Vera Season 13 with first pictures of Brenda Blethyn and the return of actor and director David Leon as Joe Ashworth.

Three new feature-length episodes also feature Jon Morrison as DC Kenny Lockhart, Riley Jones as DC Mark Edwards, Sarah Kameela Impey as Pathologist Dr. Paula Bennett and Rhiannon Clements (Ridley, Hollyoaks) as new and ambitious DC Steph Duncan.

In the opening episode, titled Fast Love, DCI Vera Stanhope (Brenda Blethyn) is called to a quiet country lane where a young man has been found dead following a collision with a car. Vera discovers that the victim is a popular market trader so heads down to his pitch to start to put together an idea of who the man is.

As the investigation gathers pace, Vera learns that this cheeky chappy was a complex character. Antagonistic, arrogant and able to get what he wanted but did all of this come at a price? Adding to the complexity of the case, Vera is taken aback by Joe Ashworth’s (David Leon) return and is unsure of his motives.

Brenda Blethyn said, “Stepping back into Vera‘s shoes for the thirteenth series feels like coming home again. 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. Together, we embark on this new chapter with a terrific script crafted by the brilliant Paul Matthew Thompson.”

David Leon said, “I’m thrilled to be returning to Vera. 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.”

Executive Producer Will Nicholson added, “Being from the North East it is always a joy to film Vera here and we are very grateful for the warmth and support from the fans during production. Starting the new series is incredibly exciting and alongside the incomparable Brenda Blethyn and the rest of our talented cast, we are delighted to welcome David Leon back to the show.”

Other actors appearing in the first episode include Nimmy March, Amit Shah, Stephen Lord, Patrick McNamee, Andrew Dunn, Bryan Dick, Samantha Seager, Beruce Khan, Travis Ross, Evie Hargreaves and Susan Jayne-Robinson.

Vera screens in Australia on ABC.

11 Responses

  1. One of my favourite shows on TV these days along with the late Endeavour.
    I’m really hoping Brenda doesn’t wan to retire & the show has man more seasons to come.

    It’s not easy finding quality TV drama for a certain demographic that the ratings people ignore.

    Boston Legal being a perfect example.

  2. The reason Vera gave for Joe leaving when Aiden asked is…“Oh big promotion, nice house next to an outstanding. (it is a rating for a UK school) Another girl on the way”….In the books by Ann Cleeves there is no such character as DS Aiden Healy only ever DS Joe Ashworth as a key character right up to the recent book The Rising Tide…..Joe isn’t the only one to be in the books, there is DS Holly Lawson (Wunmi Mosaku) who put in for a transfer and left early in the series,… but she is still in the books and continues to be part of Vera’s team…..David Leon is also a director and actor and one reason he left is due to other commitments, contracts logistics and being offered other jobs.

  3. Big fan but with only 3 new eps commissioned it’s no wonder that the cast need other work. At the start of series 5, now in re-re-repeats on ABC2, Vera eventually tells Aiden that “Joe is the old you, big promotion, nice house next to a school, another girl on the way.” As Sergeants do most of the leg work as “bagmen” for the boss, the writers will have their work cut out getting Joe back into his old role. Another long time cast member DC Jacqueline ‘Jac’ Williams, played by Ibinabo Jack, won’t be returning due to theatre commitments.

    1. They only ever do 3 or 4at most unfortunately yes wish they’d do more. Nearly all other British mystery or drama shows don’t do many either but most do something like 7 or 8 which is great.

    2. She’s also just had a lead role in a Curren Abc drama.
      She was fantastic & I was very happy to see her lead a show.

      The poms have a habit of offering the good roles to the same handful of actresses – Suranne whatshernamewho got her beak on Scot & Baily, the woman, Nicola someone from Unforgotten & at least half a dozen others & there are more examples I can’ think of right now.’
      They need to broaden their castings to lesser known women imo.

  6. I am so thrilled David Leon has returned as Joe Ashworth, the complex relationship Vera and Joe have was a highlight of the first 4 seasons of Vera and I hope they’re going to revisit that in the new season.

    1. Can’t wait. Vera is amazing. But hey I hope they talk about why the other main guy has left, because they never said why the returning guy originally left.

      1. I could have this very wrong, but I seem to remember Vera mentioning Joe being had been promoted while off-screen and that was the end of it. Agree that I hope they fill in the blanks.

        1. Thank you. Yes definitely a better explanation would be better, even a cross over episode or departing and arriving but it’s out of our hands.

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