VIEWERS were last night treated to the return of DCI Vera Stanhope and the hugely-popular crime series on ITV.

Brenda Blethyn and cast returned to our screens for another installment of the eleventh series of Vera on Sunday night.

The first episode of the year, but the third in the series, viewers were left in excitement as the show kicked off with yet another dramatic storyline.

Read more: 6 filming locations you might have recognised in last night's ITV Vera

Episode 'Tyger Tyger' saw Blethyn reprise as DCI Stanhope in the investigation of a robbery and death of a security foreman.

Suspecting it could be an inside job, her probe takes another turn when the deceased's 13-year-old son goes missing.

Read more: Inside Sunderland home that's among cheapest in the North East

But in order to rescue the missing boy, she has to find out who was behind the robbery, which sees her taken off the case in a dramatic twist.

But when will the next episode air?

And viewers won't have long to wait as the details of the next installment of the show have been revealed - including when it will air.

The follow on episode named 'As The Crow Flies' will air on ITV next Sunday (January 16) at 8pm until 10pm.

It will also be available on the catch-up service, the ITV Hub shortly after the episode is broadcast.

According to show bosses, DCI Stanhope will investigate the death of a primary school teacher, which initially looks like an accident but turns out to be something else.

But it looks like viewers may have to wait for the remaining two episodes of series 11, which have not yet been announced and could potentially air later in the year.

To view the series so far and to watch yesterday's episode again click here

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