ITV recently confirmed that Brenda Blethyn would be back in her iconic mac and hat to reprise her role as DCI Vera Stanhope for series 13 of the hit crime drama, adapted from the novels by award-winning crime writer Ann Cleeves.
In a surprise for followers of the show, it was also announced that actor David Leon will be reprising his role as DS Joe Ashworth, after leaving the series almost 10 years ago in 2014.
Blethyn said in a statement: "I'm absolutely over the moon to welcome David back to the show and can’t wait to get started.”
Series 12 of Vera concluded in February this year with The Darkest Evening, which saw DCI Vera Stanhope coming across an abandoned car with a baby and being forced to meet with her estranged family at Vera Brockburn House. Things took a sinister turn when a body surfaces on the track leading to Brockburn House. The series was comprised of four self-contained crime stories.
Series 13 will be made up of of three feature-length episodes, also adapted from Anne's Vera novels. ITV has yet to confirm which books these three will be based on.
Here's everything else we know about Vera season 13...
Vera series 13: The cast
Brenda Blethyn will be back as Vera. The 77-year-old actor revealed last year that she has no plans to retire anytime soon.
"I haven't got any plans to leave – at the moment, all the time I'm fit and able, I'll be visiting Vera," Brenda told RadioTimes.com. "I love it, I just love it – I love the people up there, too. There is a difference between the friendliness of the north and the south, I don't care what anybody says. That's the main compliment really, that the people of the North East like Vera."
Other cast returning alongside Brenda and David include Jon Morrison as DC Kenny Lockhart and Riley Jones as DC Mark Edwards.
Kenny Doughty, who played DS Aiden Healey, left after series 12. Ibinabo Jack, who has played DC Jacqueline 'Jac' Williams since 2018, won't be returning either due to theatre commitments.
Brenda commented: "It's been such a pleasure to work alongside Kenny and Ibinabo. They've both been terrific members of the Vera team, and I'll miss them. I'm absolutely over the moon to welcome David back to the show and can’t wait to get started.”
Vera series 13: The plot
ITV has yet to confirm which book the three episodes will be adapted from. Ann Cleeves has signed up to produce two further Vera books.
Meanwhile, know that the series will follow the same format as former series, which sees DCI Vera investigate a new crime in each feature-length episode.
When will Vera series 13 be back?
There's no official release date for series 13 just yet, but ITV has confirmed that filming
is due to begin in the summer of 2023. We can probably expect its return in early 2024.
Fans can catch up on Vera series 1-12 via ITVX
