Plot details for the new series of Vera have been leaked by ITV as filming continues on the latest run of the much loved drama.
After Kenny Doughty announced earlier this year that he'd be walking away from his role as DS Aiden Healy after eight years, concerns were raised by fans about Vera's future, but, thankfully for them, any fears it could be coming to an end were put to bed, when ITV announced that a new series was very much in the work.
Things got even more exciting for loyal viewers when it was then confirmed that David Leon would be making a shock return to play Joe Ashworth, close to a decade after he'd left leading lady Brenda Blethyn heartbroken by his departure. And now they've been spotted on set together, as filming for three new feature length episodes got underway in Northumberland.
READ MORE: ITV's Vera cast shake-up sees Happy Valley and EastEnders stars join as big names quit
As David makes his comeback, the Vera cast is also being boosted by the arrival of a new well known new faces, including Happy Valley's killer pharmacist Amit Shah and infamous Hollyoaks villain Rihannon Clements.
As well as confirming the changes of personnel, ITV have also released details of the first episode. Called Fast Love, it will see 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 (David Leon) return and is unsure of his motives.
Talkigngabout being back on set as her famous alter-ego, Brenda commented: "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."
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