In the grand tradition of cantankerous, disheveled detectives, Detective Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope of the (fictional) Northumberland and City Police in Northern England is as crotchety as they come and not above lashing out at her coworkers when she’s frustrated by lack of progress in a case.
British detective series have provided some meaty roles for middle-aged women, from Olivia Colman on “Broadchurch” to Sarah Lancashire on “Happy Valley,” and before that, Helen Mirren on “Prime Suspect.” Brenda Blethyn has had amazing staying power as the lead in “Vera,” based on the Ann Cleeves mystery novels. In the grand tradition of cantankerous, disheveled detectives, Detective Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope of the (fictional) Northumberland and City Police in Northern England is as crotchety as they come and not above lashing out at her coworkers when she’s frustrated by lack of progress in a case. But she makes up for her temper with vast reserves of empathy and the sort of practical wisdom only learned after decades in the field. Her partner Joe Ashworth is played by the handsome David Leon in the first few seasons, which revolve around solving various murders presented episodically in a seaside setting. The crimes are brutal, yet not portrayed too graphically, the writing sharp and humorous, and Blethyn is a national treasure, so it’s not surprising the series is soon rolling out its 13th season.