Filming for the 13th season of the popular ITV crime drama series Vera, which is set in the heart of the North East, is underway. 

ITV has released first-look pictures of the show's stars Brenda Blethyn and David Leon on set as filming began for the highly-anticipated thirteenth series of Vera.

Starring the internationally acclaimed and award-winning actress Blethyn, as DCI Vera Stanhope, the new series sees the return of actor and director Leon as Joe Ashworth.

Blethyn said: "Stepping back into Vera's shoes for the thirteenth series feels like coming home again.

"The support from the locals in the North East is truly heart-warming and reuniting with the talented David Leon and the rest of our exceptional team is an absolute delight.

"Together, we embark on this new chapter with a terrific script crafted by the brilliant Paul Matthew Thompson."

Leon added: "I’m thrilled to be returning to Vera. It's fantastic to be back in the North East 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.”

Vera series 13 cast

Joining the pair for the three new feature-length episodes are Jon Morrison as DC Kenny Lockhart, Riley Jones as DC Mark Edwards and Sarah Kameela Impey as Pathologist Dr. Paula Bennett.

Rhiannon Clements (Hollyoaks) joins the Vera team this season as new and ambitious DC Steph Duncan.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: David Leon returns to Vera this season as Joe Ashworth.David Leon returns to Vera this season as Joe Ashworth. (Image: ITV)

Sneak peak at series 13, episode 1

Describing the plot of the newest episode of the Vera series, ITV said: "The opening episode, titled Fast Love, will see DCI Vera called to a quiet country lane where a young man has been found dead following a collision with a car.

"She discovers that the victim is a popular market trader so heads down to his pitch to start to put together an idea of who the man is.

"As the investigation gathers pace, Vera learns that this cheeky chappy was a complex character.

"Antagonistic, arrogant and able to get what he wanted but did all of this come at a price?

"Adding to the complexity of the case, Vera is taken aback by Joe Ashworth's (David Leon) return and is unsure of his motives."

The three crime stories in the new series draw inspiration from the best-selling novels and characters created by acclaimed crime writer Ann Cleeves.