Vera's audience set to tour North East: Here's where to look out for in episode three of the latest series
Sunday’s instalment of the crime drama will be screened on ITV from 8pm to 10pm on Sunday, January 26, with the show part of its 10th series.
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Hide AdDirty, written by Sally Abbott and directed by Delyth Thomas, begins as the body of Luke Sumner is discovered close to his flat in Newcastle.
But pathology concludes the killing blow could have happened several hours before he succumbed to his injuries, prompting Detective Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope – played by Brenda Blethyn – to piece together Luke’s final hours in order to investigate his murder.
But the officer and her team soon discover Luke’s life is perplexingly spartan; working a punishing number of shifts for a commercial cleaning company, ECS, and severing all ties to the quaint rural village where he grew up - including his mother Carmel.
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Hide AdCarmel and Luke have barely spoken in the last eight years, both of them still haunted by the murder of Luke’s have-a-go-hero father Seth by a petty burglar.
When Vera finds out Luke left work in a rage, mid-shift she turns her attention to Luke’s amiable employers, Sonia and Clive Brock.
But behind their helpful veneer, Det Ch Insp Stanhope uncovers disturbing claims of workplace intimidation and harassment.
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Hide AdAs the team build a portrait of Luke’s world, they reveal a pattern of violence and self-loathing recurring throughout his life.
Det Ch Insp Stanhope finds herself having to unpack Luke’s tragic past to discover the truth about his recent emotional turmoil and in so doing, catch his killer.
The programme’s makers have revealed ahead of the show that locations to feature will include Sunderland’s Planet House and City Tea Rooms; Arriva’s Jesmond Bus Station, the Beacon Shopping Centre in North Shields and the Brett Oils Factory in Gateshead.