TELLY bosses have confirmed the long-awaited return of Vera as they have revealed when the first set of episodes of the brand new series will air.

For the past year, Brenda Blethyn and cast have been filming for the highly-anticipated 11th series of the hit show on ITV.

Blethyn, who plays DCI Vera Stanhope, has previously been spotted filming across the region including in County Durham, Teesside and Sunderland.

Read more: 22 pictures as filming for ITV Vera in Chester-le-Street wraps up

Despite earlier confirmation that the first two episodes would be broadcast this year, and a further four next year, very little had been revealed by ITV until now.

In a statement last night, ITV said the first episode of the new series would air at 8pm on Sunday, August 29 over a two-hour slot.

The Northern Echo: Brenda Blethyn has been filming across the region including in County Durham Picture: ITVBrenda Blethyn has been filming across the region including in County Durham Picture: ITV

It said that following the "huge success" of series ten, ITV had welcomed back the return of Vera for two "emotionally compelling" feature-length episodes for 2021.

Series 11 will see the return of Kenny Doughty as Detective Sergeant Aiden Healy, Jon Morrison as Detective Constable Kenny Lockhart, Riley Jones as Detective Constable Mark Edwards and Ibinabo Jack as Detective Constable Jacqueline Williams.

A spokesperson for ITV said the eleventh series will open with the discovery of well-respected local builder, Jim Tullman, who is found beaten to death on the steps of the Collingwood Monument.

They said: "DCI Vera Stanhope questions how such a seemingly beloved and imposing figure could be attacked so viciously.

"The mystery deepens when she discovers that Tullman was due to testify in court as the key witness in a violent assault. Could these two crimes be connected?

"As Vera delves deeper into Jim Tullman’s life she discovers unresolved bitterness between his estranged wife Barbara and doting son John Paul, while tensions with old family friends Gary and Lesley Clayton threaten to spill over.

"Vera must see through the web of family grievances, jealousies and lies to ensure justice is done."

The Northern Echo: Picture: BEN HOPSONPicture: BEN HOPSON

Since filming for the 11th series began, eagled-eyed fans have been sent into a frenzy and after frenzy after spotting Blethyn filming across parts of the region.

Huge crowds were gathered in Chester-le-Street last October after Citrone's Cafe on Front Street was transformed into a set for the show.

At the time, Blethyn and Doughty were pictured as they shot various takes in, and outside, the cafe much to the delight of fans.

Addressing filming during lockdown, Blethyn previously 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."

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