The Vera Christmas special 2023 is the first feature-length festive instalment in the ITV drama’s 12 year run. But it’ll be worth the wait for fans…
Based on Ann Cleeves’ bestselling novel of the same name, The Rising Tide sees DCI Vera Stanhope on the case again as she investigates an apparent suicide.
And this time, the suspicious death has occurred literally in her back yard… Here’s everything you need to know about the first ever festive special of Vera!
Vera Christmas special 2023: What’s the plot of The Rising Tide?
Rick Kelsall dies on Holy Island – also known as Lindisfarne – and it couldn’t get any closer to home for DCI Stanhope. That’s because she lives on the island herself. And, of course, before long it becomes clear Rick was murdered.
A TV celebrity, Rick had been attending a reunion with old friends, a tradition the group observed for more than 40 years.
But who killed Rickm and why? And could Vera and her team be in danger of not making it to Christmas Day themselves?
‘Christmas is a time for family’
Star Brenda Blethyn explains: “Christmas is a time for family which Vera hasn’t got. Her team at work are her family now. Her colleagues.
“When we meet her again Vera is in the police CID office in the approach to Christmas and she has to organise a Secret Santa. She can’t stand any of that. But she knows her team like it so she tolerates the festivities.
“In the end she ropes DC Kenny Lockhart (Jon Morrison) into organising the Secret Santa and her contribution is restricted to bringing along a Father Christmas hat. That’s about her limit when it comes to Christmas.”
Brenda adds: “Vera and her team are gearing up to having a couple days off over Christmas when a call comes in about a television celebrity who has been found dead on Holy Island in Northumberland of all places, where Vera lives, in what is an unexplained death. So her boss has decided that as Vera knows the area, she can go and deal with it.”
Vera Christmas special 2023 will be The Rising Tide
Brenda has also touched on the seasonal touches that viewers will notice in this Christmas film. She says: “I’ve always wanted to have a Vera Christmas special.
“This adaptation of Ann Cleeves’ book The Rising Tide is set against the backdrop to the run up to Christmas. There are quite a lot of Christmas trees in this film and it was nice to film scenes with all of the festive decorations in the background.”
She adds: “There’s always a jolly feeling at Christmas with people in good spirits. But sometimes they had to take a tree out of the background because there was too much going on!”
But despite all the merriment amid the death, Vera will soon be losing one of the dramas most popular characters…
DS Aiden Healy – aka Kenny Doughty – exits cast
Actor Kenny Doughty, who plays DS Aiden Healy, is sadly leaving the cast in the Christmas special 2023.
Brenda reflected: “I was sad when he said he was leaving. He’s my mate. We had filmed eight series together. I’ve never laughed so hard as I did with Kenny Doughty.
“Vera and Aiden became very close over the years. It’s not surprising because she spent most of her time with him at work. And it was a good working relationship between the two characters as well as liking each other.”
She went on: “Kenny and I kept each other company between scenes during long days, weeks and months of filming. As well as at weekends because we were both working away from home. It’s total commitment. Kenny was also my neighbour in the apartments where I stay during filming. I’ll miss him and wish him well.”
ED! reported that former Vera star David Leon will be returning as Joe Ashworth in Vera series 13.
Who else stars in The Rising Tide?
Guest actors appearing in The Rising Tide include Lewis actress Clare Holman, and Stella Street’s Phil Cornwell. Adrian Rawlins, who recently starred in Slow Horses, also guests.
The other names include Jake Ashton-Nelson, Adrian Mills, Suzette Llewellyn, Brian Bovell, Orlessa Altass, Kate Isitt, Felicity Dean, Natasha Patel, Sara Powell, Cora Kirk, Martin Turner, Eric Richard, Phillippa Wilson, Liz Crowther, Sam Halpenny and Peter Peverley.
Read more: Ashley Jensen ‘secretly weds Vera actor Kenny Doughty’ six years after suicide of first husband
The Vera Christmas episode will air over the festive period on ITV.
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