TONIGHT is the night that the popular hit show, Vera will make a return to our television screens for a brand new installment.

Kicking off with a two-hour feature-length episode at 8pm on ITV, Brenda Blethyn and cast are returning for the highly-anticipated 11th series of the show.

The series is set to open as the body of well-respected local builder, Jim Tullman, is found beaten to death on the steps of the Collingwood Monument.

Read more: Brenda Blethyn reveals how she nearly quit acting before ITV Vera came along

DCI Vera Stanhope, played by Blethyn, will question how such a seemingly beloved and imposing figure could be attacked so viciously.

Tonight will mark the first of two episodes airing this year, with a further four episodes set to be broadcast next year - all filmed in the past year.

Read more: How to watch the brand new series of ITV Vera and here's when

Since September 2020, eagled-eyed fans have been eager to catch a glimpse as Blethyn has been spotted filming across the region.

Ahead of tonight's show, we're looking back at some of those moments with a selection of the best from filming.

Tynemouth

Kicking off the bulk of filming, Blethyn was spotted filming in Tynemouth in North Tyneside in September, last year.

Filming under Covid guidelines, cast and crew could be seen wearing face masks and visors, while filming took place socially distanced.

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.”

The Northern Echo: Brenda Blethyn filmed in Tynemouth Picture: OWEN HUMPHREYS/PABrenda Blethyn filmed in Tynemouth Picture: OWEN HUMPHREYS/PA

The Northern Echo: Blethyn in Tynemouth on a shoot Picture: OWEN HUMPHREYS/PABlethyn in Tynemouth on a shoot Picture: OWEN HUMPHREYS/PA

The Northern Echo: Picture: OWEN HUMPHREYS/PAPicture: OWEN HUMPHREYS/PA

Hartlepool

In October, cast and crew set up shop on The Headland in Hartlepool as one fan captured the moment Blethyn arrived.

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." 

The Northern Echo: Brenda Blethyn filming in Hartlepool Picture: JORDON BAGEBrenda Blethyn filming in Hartlepool Picture: JORDON BAGE

Chester-le-Street

The County Durham town was transformed into a set in October last year as 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.

Read more: Chester-le-Street café will appear in ITV's Vera as filming continues next week

The cafe, run by Francis Citrone, was partly converted into a set as much of the filming took place inside.

The Northern Echo: Brenda Blethyn outside Citrone's Cafe in Chester-le-Street Picture: BEN HOPSONBrenda Blethyn outside Citrone's Cafe in Chester-le-Street Picture: BEN HOPSON

The Northern Echo: Kenny Doughty with Blethyn in Chester-le-Street Picture: BEN HOPSONKenny Doughty with Blethyn in Chester-le-Street Picture: BEN HOPSON

The Northern Echo: The pair in the famous Defender Picture: BEN HOPSONThe pair in the famous Defender Picture: BEN HOPSON

The Northern Echo: Brenda Blethyn waves to onlookers as she films in Chester-le-Street Picture: BEN HOPSONBrenda Blethyn waves to onlookers as she films in Chester-le-Street Picture: BEN HOPSON

The Northern Echo: Citrone's Cafe in Chester-le-Street was transformed into a set Picture: BILLY ATKINSONCitrone's Cafe in Chester-le-Street was transformed into a set Picture: BILLY ATKINSON

The Northern Echo: Blethyn waves to fans in Chester-le-Street Picture: BILLY ATKINSONBlethyn waves to fans in Chester-le-Street Picture: BILLY ATKINSON

The Northern Echo: Huge crowds were gathered on the Front Street Picture: NORTH NEWSHuge crowds were gathered on the Front Street Picture: NORTH NEWS

The Northern Echo: Huge crowds gathered on the Front Street Picture: NORTH NEWSHuge crowds gathered on the Front Street Picture: NORTH NEWS

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.

The Northern Echo: Picture: VICTORIA WOODPicture: VICTORIA WOOD

The Northern Echo: Picture: VICTORIA WOODPicture: VICTORIA WOOD

The Northern Echo:

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.

The Northern Echo: Picture: DEBORAH BILCLIFFPicture: DEBORAH BILCLIFF

The Northern Echo: Pictures: DEBORAH BILCLIFFPictures: DEBORAH BILCLIFF

To catch up on old Vera episodes on the ITV Hub - click here 

--

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated County Durham Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054