“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.

“I think The Rising Tide is one of Ann Cleeves’ best books, and that’s saying something because they’re all fabulous. She just gets better and better. 

“But as is often the case when adapting a novel for TV, there are differences between the book and Sally Abbot’s terrific adaptation.” 

Brenda Blethyn talking to me about Vera: The Rising Tide which will be screened in the UK on ITV1 at 8pm on Boxing Day and also available to stream on ITVX from that day.

With a story mainly set on Holy Island in Northumberland.

The feature length film marks the final appearance of Kenny Doughty as DS Aiden Healy, who I also spoke to.

You can read both interviews for ITV at the link below…with yet more to come from Brenda – plus the returning David Leon (Joe Ashworth) – ahead of the three new Vera series 13 films starting on Sunday January 7.

Also scroll down for a gallery of production photos taken by Stuart Wood. Click / tap on any image to open it up in full.

You can read my separate Series 13 / 2024 interview with Brenda here.

Update: Viewers in the UK can watch ‘The Rising Tide’ via ITVX here.