We have rounded up all of the North East locations that have been the backdrop for 14 series of ITV drama Vera after it was announced that actress Brenda Blethyn will step away from the programme.
The 78-year-old English actress will return for a 14th and final series as the unorthodox trench coat-wearing Detective Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope.
Blethyn said: “Working on Vera has been a joy from beginning to end and I’m sad to be saying Cheerio. But I am so proud of our achievements over the last 14 years.
“I’ll be forever grateful to the wonderful Ann Cleeves who created Vera, and to Elaine Collins who saw fit to cast me in the role.
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“The producers, dream cast and crew have been fabulous and I’m going to miss them, but I won’t forget their huge talent, the camaraderie, laughter or kindness we shared nor the friendship of the people of the North East and our fans worldwide. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
She will film her last season this summer, which will bring more stories of murder mysteries from the North East of England in the form of two 120 minute episodes.
Blethyn won the Rose d’Or Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021 for Vera and has starred in the series since 2011.
The drama is based on the Vera Stanhope novels written by Ann Cleeves, whose works have also been adapted into the TV shows Shetland and The Long Call.
Here are the locations that have been used over the years:
Hartlepool
Stars of the popular ITV show Vera were spotted filming for series 13, including The Cosmopolitan, which has a reputation as Hartlepool's most haunted pub.
Those who were lucky enough managed to catch a glance of the crew and the actors from behind the bar, while landlord Tim Fleming’s granddaughter Reeva took a picture with series stars Brenda Blethyn, who plays Vera, and David Leon, who plays Joe Ashworth.
Redcar
The cast of Vera was at Redcar Esplanade, which has seen Brenda Blethyn spotted outside playland amusements and the nearby fish and chip shop.
In August last year, Brenda Blethyn and several other crew members were seen back in Redcar, with numerous excited members of the public watching on as some of the scenes were filmed.
Gateshead
The filming crew picked Gateshead Quayside as their backdrop to film some of the scenes.
While the choice of location as Gateshead Quay wasn't too unusual for filming Vera, some fans were kicking themselves after missing out on the opportunity to be an extra in the TV show.
Hexham/Fish Quay in North Tyneside
Brenda Blethyn donned Vera’s trademark coat and hat, was spotted in Hexham marketplace.
Crowds gathered to watch the award-winning actress in action before the town’s famous abbey.
She was also spotted several days later at the Fish Quay in North Tyneside - also donning her trademark coat and hat.
Wensleydale Railway
Redmire Station was the stunning location for episode two of Series 13, which aired on Sunday, January 14. The railway’s class 143 Pacer diesel multiple unit enjoyed a brief cameo appearance and its class 142 units also appeared in background shots.
Tynemouth
Filming for previous seasons, Vera even filmed through Covid-19.
Filming under Covid guidelines, cast and crew could be seen wearing face masks and visors while filming took place socially distanced in 2020 and 2021.
Blethyn previously addressed any concerns over filming during lockdown and said: “The safety of all personnel is always at the forefront of production, and with all the extra Covid precautions in place, we will relish creating and delivering six cracking new episodes.”
Hartlepool
Cast and crew have also been known to set up shop on The Headland in Hartlepool as one fan captured the moment Blethyn arrived back in 2020.
Taking to social media, Jordon Bage said: "I am so glad I got the chance to watch Vera getting filmed in my home town on Monday.
"I was also glad to meet Kenny Doughty and Brenda Blethyn - they are both lovely people and funny too."
Chester-le-Street
The County Durham town was transformed into a set in one cafe, Citrone's was the star of the show.
For three days, Chester-le-Street Front Street saw crowds of fans gather to catch a glimpse of filming.
The cafe, run by Francis Citrone, was partly converted into a set as much of the filming took place inside.
Whitley Bay
As filming looked to restart for the 2021 schedule, residents in a North East street were left starstruck as Blethyn began filming.
Residents in Duke Street in Whitley Bay said they were awoken to see the cast and crew of Vera move in.
Victoria Wood, who lives nearby, captured the moment Blethyn was joined by Kenny Doughty, who plays Detective Sergeant Aiden Healy, as crowds watched on.
Newbiggin-by-the-Sea
Blethyn wowed crowds at a seaside town in Northumberland as she filmed over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.
Blethyn and co-star Kenny Doughty were seen in Newbiggin-by-the-sea as they waved in between shoots.
Darlington
Hundreds of people turned out to see the filming of ITV's Vera in Darlington in 2022 - with some dedicated "superfans" arriving as early as 7am.
Despite the chilly conditions, hundreds of onlookers turned out to the cordoned-off Town Hall to try and catch a glimpse of filming for the twelfth series.
And among those was Darlington woman, Samantha Jakeway who turned out to the makeshift set almost an hour before filming.
The superfan told The Northern Echo at the time: "I've been here since 8am on my own and hoping to see Vera, hoping to get a few photos."
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