BRENDA Blethyn, cast and crew have been spotted filming scenes right across the North East in recent weeks for the hit-series, ITV Vera.

Blethyn, who plays DCI Vera Stanhope, was earlier this week seen filming outside a church in Newcastle as part of the twelfth installment of the show.

But that was not before, cast and crew - including Kenny Doughty who plays DS Aiden Healy - were spotted picking up shoots in Darlington, Tyneside and Newcastle.

Read more: See as Brenda Blethyn films scenes for ITV Vera at Newcastle church

It comes as filming for series 12 kicked off earlier this year with Vera creator, Ann Cleeves announcing the start of production in March via social media.

The Northern Echo: Picture: JIM SCOTTPicture: JIM SCOTT

The Northern Echo: Picture: JIM SCOTTPicture: JIM SCOTT

Since filming has commenced, the promise of a slice of the action has drawn large crowds at times with hundreds of devoted fans turning out at all hours.

And it looks like there are plenty more opportunities on the way as ITV bosses have confirmed a brief timeline of events.

Read more: PICTURES: ITV Vera star Kenny Doughty in Darlington for series 12 filming

Speaking to The Northern Echo, ITV said production is well underway and the team is expected to complete filming of the latest series in Autumn.

The Northern Echo: Kenny Doughty in Darlington Picture: PAUL NORRISKenny Doughty in Darlington Picture: PAUL NORRIS

That means Brenda Blethyn, cast and crew will be out and about at various North East locations over the next few months, giving an opportunity to try and catch them filming.

Although locations are not publicly revealed, the show largely films scenes against a Newcastle and North Tyneside backdrop, occasionally filming scenes in County Durham.

Last year and as part of filming for series 11, the cast and crew ventured out to locations including Middlesbrough, Stockton, Chester-le-Street, Sunderland and Hexham.

ITV has not yet confirmed the date the two remaining episodes from series 11 will make it to air after being filmed in 2020 and 2021.

Meanwhile, it has not yet been confirmed when the first episode of series 12 will make it to transmission, but has said there will be four feature-length episodes.

But in the meantime, you can catch up on all the old ITV Vera episodes here.

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