The star of a hit British crime drama filmed in the North East has sent fans into a frenzy after teasing on the show’s future.

Brenda Blethyn, who plays the leading lady in ITV’s crime series Vera, has confirmed again there will be another series coming to our screens.

It comes as cast and crew have been working on the next series of the show, however, have released very little information so far.

This has prompted rumour and speculation over the future of the show and the progress of filming so far.

Read more: Brenda Blethyn returns to filming ITV Vera and is spotted in Hartlepool

But on Twitter on Saturday, 17 September, Blethyn gave a progress update as she confirmed filming was fast continuing.

In response to a fan’s plea online, Brenda said production on a new series was well underway and filming had wrapped on episode 50 recently.

Ms Blethyn said: “Yes. Series 12. Wrapped on episode 50 of VERA last week.”

This caused a stir online with fans of the show overjoyed at the news of its return posting memes, GIFs and happy messages.

One said: “Can’t wait! You are a role model to me, keep up the good work.”

Another said: “Aww fantastic news! Looking forward to it Brenda! Have been watching re-runs of previous series and was only wondering last week when the next series would be! Can’t beat a bit of Vera!”

Read more: Fancy working on the telly? Vera jobs up for grabs as filming continues

The cast and crew announced a hiatus from filming the twelfth series of the show back in May, this year.

Blethyn, Kenny Doughty and other big names from the series had been spotted shooting scenes in Darlington, Dunston and Elswick in Newcastle months ago.

ITV has not confirmed when series 12 will air or when the remaining two episodes from series 11 will air which has left fans waiting for over eight months.

The series is based on novels written by crime writer Ann Cleeves and follows fiercely independent DCI Vera Stanhope, the first of which was published in 1999.

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