Ann Cleeves had some big news for fans of much loved drama, confirming that there are definitely more tales to come.
North Tyneside based writer Ann is the woman responsible for introducing the world to iconic fictional detective DCI Vera Stanhope, who has become a TV favourite thanks to BAFTA winning actress Brenda Blethyn, who has been playing her on ITV for over a decade now.
Vera is a character that millions of viewers can't get enough of, even after 11 series, with her finishing in fifth position in a TV vote to find Britain's Favourite Detective in 2020. The cast and crew of the smash hit drama have been back in the North East this year, filming all over the region for series 12, from Darlington to Elswick as fans are still waiting to see the last two parts of series 11.
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Author Ann will join Brenda and co-star Kenny Doughty for the sell out Viva Vera event at the Playhouse in Whitley Bay this week but, before then she was put on the spot about what's next for Vera as she appeared as a studio guest on BBC Breakfast.
Ann spoke to hosts Sally Nugent and Jon Kay about the success of Vera when she was quizzed on whether she plans to write more Vera novel's. And her response will be music to the ears of fans as she replied: "Absolutely. I've just delivered a new Matthew Venn book, but I'll be thinking about a new Vera book when this one comes out."
During her BBC interview, Ann also spoke about her love for the North East and the importance of the region to Vera's story, having moved here nearly 40 years ago. She commented: "I love it. I'm not a northerner by birth, I am by adoption.
"I moved there in the mid-80s and fell in love with the mad-friendliness of the people and never wanted to go.
"It's a landscape really that feeds into the books and into the characters because I can't imagine Vera living anywhere but right in the Northumberland Hills."
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