DCI Vera Stanhope was back on the case again last night with millions of viewers watching as she tried to solve another complex case in the region.
Brenda Blethyn along with Kenny Doughty and cast returned to ITV after months of anticipation as the eleventh series continued with episode three.
In the two-hour feature length serving, Blethyn returns with her infamous mac and arrives at a "Blyth container port" following the death of a security foreman.
Read more: ITV reveal what to expect in brand new Vera episode airing in January
Part of a robbery, she suspects it could be an inside job but her probe takes another turn when the deceased's 13-year-old son goes missing.
However, in order to rescue the missing boy, she needs to find out who was behind the robbery, but not before she is taken off the case in a dramatic twist.
And eagled eyed viewers will have spotted a few familiar locations in last night's show including quite a few away from the "Northumberland & City Police" patch.
A number of iconic and well-known locations across Teesside, Tyne & Wear and Northumberland had their own starring roles.
1. Tees Transporter Bridge, Stockton
The icon features within the first 15 minutes of the show and forms the backdrop of a depot in Stockton where a lorry accused of being involved in a crime appears.
2. Marlborough Park Housing Estate, Washington
If you've ever passed through Washington, you will have likely spotted this housing complex, in the Sulgrave part of the town.
The cast and crew were captured filming there towards the end of last year and it featured around 30 minutes into the episode.
3. Sunderland Civic Centre Car Park
The largely disused Civic Centre car park in the heart of Sunderland was used as a filming location in May, last year.
Read more: Cast and crew from ITVs Vera takeover Sunderland Civic Centre car park
It forms the backdrop of a rather dramatic scene involving a barrage of police cars and deluge of armed police.
4. The Bay Horse, Stamfordham
The once-thriving and now closed, Bay Horse pub in Stamfordham, Northumberland features in the first-half of the episode.
But it does not star as a pub, instead fitted out to be an antique shop which has its own connections to the people involved in Blethyn's investigation.
5. Winlaton Vulcans RFC
With stunning views of the region, Winlaton Vulcans RFC features with Kenny Doughty's son seen playing with friends in front of onlookers towards the end of the show.
In a rather amusing scene, Blethyn becomes privy to a term used in DS Healy's household calling DCI Vera Stanhope a "dinosaur."
6. Ocean Beach, South Shields
If you've been to South Shields, then you may have recognised the sweeping shot of Blethyn's Defender making its way along Sea Road, past Colmans and into Ocean Beach.
Scenes towards the end of the episode are filmed inside the Ocean Beach Pleasure Park towards the arcade area closest to the beach.
ITV previously confirmed the first two episodes of the new series would be broadcast in 2021, with the remaining four episodes filmed in Spring 2021, broadcast in 2022.
Series 11 sees the return of Kenny Doughty as Detective Sergeant Aiden Healy, Jon Morrison, who plays Detective Constable Kenny Lockhart, Riley Jones, who plays Detective Constable Mark Edwards, and Ibinabo Jack, who plays Detective Constable Jacqueline Williams.
Addressing filming concerns during Covid, Blethyn previously said: “The safety of all personnel is always at the forefront of production, and with all the extra Covid precautions in place, we will relish creating and delivering six cracking new episodes.”
To view the episode 'Tyger Tyger' on the ITV Hub click here
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