The much-loved crime drama Vera made a triumphant return to our screens for its final series, but not without taking some geographical liberties. The River Tyne was 'relocated' for a new mystery plotline. The popular show, which first aired on ITV 14 years ago with the pilot Hidden Depths, is back for one last hurrah following last year's announcement that it would wrap up in 2025, with lead actress Brenda Blethyn deciding to step away from the role that has earned her fans worldwide.
To the disappointment of loyal Vera fans, who have been following DCI Stanhope and her team's investigations since 2011, the final series is significantly shorter than previous ones, consisting of only two episodes. The first episode, Inside, kicked off with the grim discovery of a young man, Zachary Mountain, supposedly by the River Tyne.
However, eagle-eyed Northumberland locals quickly spotted that the body of water where Zach's lifeless body was found was not the River Tyne, but the River Wansbeck in Ashington. This was noticed on screen months after production vehicles for Vera were seen parked up in the town.
Fans flocked to social media to point out the error, with one viewer tweeting: "When the advert man on the telly says the #Vera finale is a deceased baddie on the banks of the Tyne but you then watch it and it's very clearly Ashington and the river Wansbeck. Gan on Ashington being represented!", reports the Express.
Others joined in the conversation, noting the unmistakable landmarks surrounding the Wansbeck, such as "Body found on the banks of the Wansbeck" and "Nice to see the Blacka, Stakeford Bridge, Rowing Club and River Wansbeck in the first part of #Vera whether it's supposed to be the Tyne or not".
