Vera fans were left baffled by the geographical blunder (Image: ITV)
Popular crime drama returned to screens on Wednesday night for its final series, but not without some geographical liberties. The River Tyne was ‘relocated’ for a new mystery plotline.
The beloved show, which first aired on 14 years ago with the pilot Hidden Depths, is back for one last run. This follows last year’s announcement that it would conclude in 2025, with lead actress Brenda Blethyn deciding to step away from the role that has garnered her a global fanbase.
Adding to the disappointment of 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, opened with the grim discovery of a young man, Zachary Mountain, supposedly by the River Tyne.
Vera fans have been left terrified for Kenny after the penultimate episode (Image: Helen Williams)
However, Northumberland locals quickly noticed 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 spotted on screen months after production vehicles for Vera were seen parked up in the town.
As soon as viewers noticed the Wansbeck was standing in for the River Tyne, complete with North Seaton bridge in the background, they took to social media in droves to highlight the ‘mistake’. One X user wrote: “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 .
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Others also picked up on the location discrepancy, with one commenting: “Body found on the banks of the Wansbeck”, while another posted: “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”.
Meanwhile, fans have been left terrified for Kenny after he was pushed off a cliff by Joe, as they fear he may be suddenly killed off.
Vera was told that he wasn’t out of the woods yet but was recovering in hospital, sparking fears there could be a tragic twist ahead.
Will he pull through?
Vera airs for the last time on 8pm on ITV1 on January 2.