Vera crews and Brenda Blethyn spotted on location in Hexham

Brenda Blethyn, donned in Vera’s trademark coat and hat, was spotted in Hexham marketplace on Tuesday as filming for series 13 of the North East-based show continued.

Vera filming in Hexham (Image: Newsquest)

Crowds gathered to watch the award-winning actress in action before the town’s famous abbey.

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ITV confirmed that the show would return for a new series earlier this year, after series 12 concluded.

Filming attracted quite the crowd. (Image: Newsquest)

Blethyn as DCI Vera Stanhope (Image: Newsquest)

It was announced that actor David Leon would reprise his role as Vera’s sidekick DS Joe Ashworth after leaving the show in 2014. He will replace Kenny Doughty who has played DS Aiden Healey, Vera’s right-hand man, since Leon’s departure.

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Speaking at the time Brenda Blethyn said: “I'm absolutely over the moon to welcome David back to the show and can’t wait to get started.”

One of ITV’s biggest shows it regularly pulls in big viewing figures with an average of 6 million tuning in for the last series.

Crews will continue filming around the region this week with locations for Bank Holiday Monday (May 29) and Tuesday (May 30) being revealed as the Points Bridge below Hagg Bank in Wylam. The local parish council confirmed the bridge would be closed due to filming.