ITV to Adapt 'The Long Call' By 'Vera' Author Ann Cleeves

Brenda Blethyn in the ITV adaptation of "Vera" (Photo: ITV)

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Fans of the long-running mystery series Vera will be excited to learn that ITV has plans to adapt another of author Ann Cleeves' works, a mystery entitled The Long Call

The Long Call follows the story of Detective Inspector Matthew Vwenn, an intriguing and flawed protagonist, who returns with his husband Jonathan to the small evangelical community in North Devon he grew up in order to attend his father's funeral. It's also the same place that Mattew himself walked away from over two decades earlier, after being rejected by his family. 

He is soon embroiled in the investigation of a murder close to his new home when the body of a man with a tattoo of an albatross on his neck is found on the beach. It draws Venn back into a community where murder and intrigue bubble beneath the surface, all set against the stunning backdrop of Devon’s coastline.

The four-part drama will be penned by Baptiste writer Kelly Jones in her first standalone series.

“I’m delighted that ITV is working with Silverprint Pictures to bring another of Ann’s brilliant novels to screen," Polly Hill, ITV's Head of Drama, said in a statement.  "It’s very different to Vera, but I think audiences will take to DI Matthew Venn and this compelling story in the same way. Kelly has written a wonderful adaptation and this promises to be a really distinctive and original new crime series.” 

Cleeves is the bestselling author of the Vera and Shetland Island series, both of which have been adapted into popular television programs. The Long Call was published in 2019 and is the first in a series of "Two Rivers" novels set in the English county of Devon. The second, The Heron's Cry, is set to be published in September.

Are you looking forward to another Ann Cleeves series? Let us know in the comments. 


Lacy Baugher

Lacy's love of British TV is embarrassingly extensive, but primarily centers around evangelizing all things Doctor Who, and watching as many period dramas as possible.

Digital media type by day, she also has a fairly useless degree in British medieval literature, and dearly loves to talk about dream poetry, liminality, and the medieval religious vision. (Sadly, that opportunity presents itself very infrequently.) York apologist, Ninth Doctor enthusiast, and unabashed Ravenclaw. Say hi on Threads or Blue Sky at @LacyMB. 

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