Filming on the new series of Vera switched to Newcastle on Monday, when the cast and crew of the hit drama, were snapped shooting scenes, rather aptly, right next to the Crown Court.
With Vera now having fans gripped for over a decade, anticipation is always high for each new series and, earlier this year, after an edge of the seat end to series 12, ITV announced that DCI Stanhope would be back for some more sleuthing, will production on the 13th series getting going at the end of May.
The new series of Vera has brought about a number of significant changes in personnel, the biggest being that Kenny Doughty quit his role as DS Aiden Healy and the man who he replaced as Vera's sidekick, David Leon is back, after his original exit left leading lady Brenda heartbroken. Ibinabo Jack has also now left Vera, with former Hollyoaks star Rhiannon Clements, coming in as a newcomer to DCI Stanhope's team, DC Steph Duncan.
READ MORE: Vera cast spotted filming scenes for new series in Gosforth
Brenda, David and Rhiannon have all been busy working on the feature length episodes for Vera's new run, with filming taking them to Wylam, North Shields, Gosforth and Gateshead's Metrocentre, over the last month. And on Monday, after a casting call was issued for locals to appear as extras in the new series, Brenda and Vera's famous Land Rover, were spotted in front of the camera on the Quayside.
Production took up residence just over the road from to Newcastle Crown Court, right next to the Head of Steam bar and The Hooch café bar, with Brenda seen in Vera's famous mack and fishing hat fashion combo.
A few plot details on what fans can expect from the next series have already been teased, with the first episode, called Fast Love, seeing DCI Stanhope called to a quiet country lane where a young man has been found dead following a collision with a car. The no nonsense sleuth 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 return and is unsure of his motives.
