Vera

Series 3 - Episode 2 Poster Child

Review

by Alison Graham

The verdant byways of Northumberland appear to be wastelands of violent death, à la Midsomer, as yet another blameless citizen is shot dead in his own, rather lovely, home. But there’s a twist to this brisk and engaging mystery (first shown in 2013) when the victim’s two teenaged daughters are abducted. Within minutes someone has couriered a framed picture of the girls to their distraught mother. What on earth is going on?

Leave it to grubby, lugubrious Det Chief Insp Vera Stanhope (Brenda Blethyn) to find out as she chugs on to the murder scene like a vintage tractor, puffing and huffing as she digs into the sundered family’s background. What emerges is a heartbreaking story with its roots in war-torn Baghdad. We also ponder what it means to be a father as Vera thinks about her own glum childhood with a chaotic dad.

Summary

Respected surgeon Dan Marsden is shot dead days before his retirement and his teenage daughters Mira and Karen are abducted. Joined by a new addition to the ranks, Vera investigates a mysterious parcel and a connection to the Iraq War as she races against time to catch the killer and save the girls. However, the case soon takes a violent and unexpected turn, striking at the heart of the team. Guest starring Saskia Reeves (Luther) and Dean Andrews (Ashes to Ashes), with Brenda Blethyn, David Leon and Gareth Farr.

Cast & Crew

DCI Vera Stanhope Brenda Blethyn

DS Joe Ashworth David Leon

Billy Cartwright Paul Ritter

DC Kenny Lockhart Jon Morrison

Laura Marsden Saskia Reeves

Jonah Regan Dean Andrews

Celine Ashworth Sonya Cassidy

Robin Creavey Hugh Simon

Karen Marsden Amy Cameron

Dan Marsden Reece Andrews

Mira Marsden Shifaa Arfan

Judy Mann Lucy Black

Malik Saleh Amir Boutrous

DC Barry Kelman Gareth Farr

Lucia Webb Cheryl Marie Dixon

Meg Jade Knox Griffiths

Kyle Adam Long

Gary Webb Jamie Michie

WPC Collette Hughes Katharine Monaghan

Therese Joan Murphy

Nadim Danny Rahim

Jessie Ashworth Mia Wyles

Pharmacist Rachael Chisholm

Solicitor Bev Fox

Solicitor Ben Mars

Director Paul Cotter

Executive Producer Kate Bartlett

Executive Producer Elaine Collins

Producer Margaret Mitchell

Writer Paul Rutman

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Accessibility Links

Series 3 - Episode 2 Poster Child

Review

Summary

Cast & Crew

When is detective drama Vera on TV?

Vera series 11 to begin filming this autumn, new episodes arriving next year

Meet the cast of ITV's Vera series 10

Meet the cast of Vera series nine

Shetland's author reveals why she is saying goodbye to her favourite character

Meet the cast of Vera series eight

Vera series 9 confirmed: Brenda Blethyn returns as ITV crime drama begins filming

Inspector Morse named the greatest British crime drama of all time

Vera

Series 3 - Episode 2 Poster Child

Review

Summary

Cast & Crew

When is detective drama Vera on TV?

Vera series 11 to begin filming this autumn, new episodes arriving next year

Meet the cast of ITV's Vera series 10

Meet the cast of Vera series nine

Shetland's author reveals why she is saying goodbye to her favourite character

Meet the cast of Vera series eight

Vera series 9 confirmed: Brenda Blethyn returns as ITV crime drama begins filming

Inspector Morse named the greatest British crime drama of all time

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