‘Vera’ Season 13 Begins Filming As David Leon Returns

For fans of shows like Sanditon and Grantchester that have seen their leading men depart too soon, Vera is here to prove that dreams can come true and beloved characters can return. If you need to see it to believe it, feast your eyes on the first look at Vera stars Brenda Blethyn and David Leon filming Season 13 of the long-running detective show. Joe Ashworth (Leon) is returning after almost a decade away from the show. He departed at the end of Season 4, and though Vera (Blethyn) was clearly missing Sergeant Ashworth at the start of Season 5, the show never fully explained why he left. The upcoming Season 13 may hold the answers.

Season 13 will consist of three self-contained episodes, all starring Blethyn and Leon. Leon’s return was announced in March, to the delight of fans and cast alike. Leon told ITV, "I’m thrilled to be returning to Vera. It's fantastic to be back in the northeast and reunited with Brenda and the crew for the new series. I’m looking forward to exploring the relationship between Joe and Vera as they make up for lost time." They have plenty of lost time to cover, eight seasons worth, to be precise.

Before Season 13, fans will get one last look at Vera sans Joe in The Rising Tide, the fifth and final episode of Season 12. This episode, based on the Ann Cleeves novel of the same title, is set to air later in 2023, but a date has not yet been announced.