Vera is a sharp detective with a messy life who patrols her patch of North East England, pursuing the truth in cases of murder, kidnapping, and blackmail. Driven by her own demons, DCI Vera Stanhope is obsessive about her work and faces the world with caustic wit and courage.
Now in its twelfth series, Vera fans are happy to see the Ann Cleeves-inspired drama back on TV. The dependable Geordie detective, played by Brenda Blethyn, is back with six self-contained crime stories to solve.
Vera is one of ITV's most popular dramas, based on Ann Cleeves’ bestselling novels. Fans of the series will be excited to see it return for its twelfth season this January. But how do you watch it online if you live outside of the UK?
The answer is easy: You'll need to use a VPN. A virtual private network (VPN) will allow you to access British television shows without a TV license or UK streaming service. You can sign up for a free account, and you'll then be able to watch all the latest episodes on ITV or ITVX.
ITV's Vera has been a hit since it aired in 2011, starring determined raincoat-wearing DCI Vera Stanhope. Inspired by the books of renowned crime novelist Ann Cleeves, each two-hour episode revolves around Vera and her colleagues solving a different murder.
Known for her sharp wit and charming demeanor, DCI Vera Stanhope is determined to solve the crimes she encounters. She leads a hard-working investigative team and works tirelessly to find the truth behind complex murders.
As a result, Vera has been able to establish herself as one of the most popular female detectives in the country. She scours the North East of England in her quest to solve crimes and bring the guilty parties to justice.
Her colleagues are also a diverse group of individuals, from the brash and energetic DC Jacquline 'Jac' Williams (Ibinabo Jack) to the soft-spoken DS Lucy Yo (Clare Bowen). While all of the characters are distinct, they all have a strong sense of family ties and a desire to help others.
In Vera Series 12 the main cast are returning, including Brenda Blethyn as Vera Stanhope and Aiden Healy as her partner DC Mark Edwards. They're joined by a new addition, DC Jacquline 'Jac' William.
Vera is filmed in and around Newcastle, where DCI Vera is determined to solve crimes that are eerily familiar. She has a knack for uncovering hidden secrets that are often unthinkable to the average person. She is also a keen listener and has an eye for detail.
The setting of Vera is quite different to many other crime dramas, with the rural countryside of the North East of England proving to be a real attraction. With filming locations ranging from Corbridge to Darlington, the show is set in a very different landscape to the gritty and grittier inner city settings of many other crime dramas.
If you're a fan of the series then it's worth keeping an eye out for upcoming episodes in the run-up to the new season, as the next few months will be full of surprises for both Vera and her team. As they continue to hunt down the truth, you'll be able to see how the characters' relationships grow and develop over the series' twelve-episode run.
When you're ready to watch Vera on ITV, you can head to the ITV Hub here to watch online or rent a boxset from BritBox. You can also purchase DVDs of the show here.