VERA, ITV1's critically acclaimed crime drama returns, starring multi-award winning actress Brenda Blethyn (Secrets & Lies; Little Voice) as Detective Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope. Based on the best-selling Inspector Stanhope books by renowned writer Ann Cleeves, the new season finds DCI Stanhope and her team facing a series of daunting challenges. From delving into the unsettling private life of an old colleague, attempting to break through the code of secrecy in the army, to coping with the emotional impact on a family torn apart by addiction, each enthralling story is enhanced by captivating performances of this troubled yet brilliant detective in action. Combined with beautifully shot landscapes and atmospheric production, each episode creates a haunting backdrop for Vera's inner turmoil as she discovers hidden truths about her own past, which threaten to change her life forever.