Vera | Series 12 Preview (ITV1)
Award winning actress, Brenda Blethyn dons her iconic mac and hat to play the unorthodox but brilliantly perceptive Detective Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope, in six new feature length episodes set against the backdrop of the North East.
DCI Vera Stanhope (Brenda Blethyn) returns, leading her diligent team of detectives as they investigate some complex and murderous crimes. Kenny Doughty also returns as Detective Sergeant Aiden Healy, a strong and reliable partner to DCI Stanhope.
Completing Vera’s team is Jon Morrison who plays DC Kenny Lockhart, Riley Jones who plays DC Mark Edwards and Ibinabo Jack as DC Jacqueline Williams. Paul Kaye returns to three of the new episodes as Pathologist Dr. Malcolm Donahue whilst Sarah Kameela Impey joins the production from the episode entitled For the Grace of God as Pathologist Dr. Paula Bennett.
The six self-contained crime stories (two episode from series eleven and four episodes from series twelve) have once again been inspired by the best-selling novels and characters created by acclaimed crime writer Ann Cleeves.
September 2020 saw the publication of The Darkest Evening, the latest Vera novel by Ann Cleeves which has since been adapted by Colette Kane and is one of the new feature length episodes in this series to be broadcast on ITV.
Episode 1: The charred remains of local GP, Doctor Lucy Yo, are found in the back of a burned out car that’s been abandoned in a deserted quarry. Her husband states that she was called out to a patient on the evening in question but we soon discover from her colleagues at the surgery that there is no record of any patient.
So who lured Doctor Yo out that night and who would want her dead? As Vera probes further into Doctor Yo’s life she uncovers a web of intrigue, betrayal and deadly secrets.
An elaborate affair, accusations of malpractice and an investigation into prescription fraud are just the tip of the iceberg with this case. As Vera seeks out the truth amongst the bed of lies the real Doctor Lucy Yo is revealed.
Vera returns Sunday 15th January on ITV1 and ITVX.