The most recent episode of Vera just came out on Britbox. It’s set at Christmas time, and most of the scenes are shot on Holy Island. It’s interesting because there are a few scenes that show people driving on the causeway to Holy Island when the tide is coming in, including Vera.
I don’t think that’s something I would want to attempt. But since Vera’s character lives on Holy Island, I guess she probably has to on occasion.
One of the fun things I enjoyed when I toured there last summer was that our tour guide also worked as an extra on the tv show. We not only had the historical highlights of the area, but different shooting locations from different episodes pointed out as well.
Mardee, I saw that advertised! I’m not sure those locals take chances. We started across the causeway (experienced guide driving) just as the tide was receding. Quite exciting!
Carol, that must have been very cool.
I loved Lindesfarne!
Carol, how interesting! That must’ve been so much fun to see and hear the stories and see the locations! The scenery in this episode was really beautiful. I can see why people would want to live there.
Pam, wow, that would’ve been really fun to do! I think when I’m driving, though, I’m going to make sure that the tide is nice and low, lol!
While it makes for dramatic filming, attempting to cross the causeway when the tide is coming in is very foolish as many people have found to their cost. Don't try it!
Have a look here.
Driving with the incoming tide was probably done for dramatic effect, although the locals will also have knowledge as to how far they can 'push' things if they absolutely have to.
Really though that sets a very bad example to people who don't know the tides. There are far too many rescues from people who try that. It may be that the posted safe crossing times are a bit conservative, but they are there to be complied with. It would be bad enough to be caught out in your own car, several times as bad in a rental. If you cross outside the safe times your insurance will be invalidated.
wasleys, yikes! Especially that poor camper van! Don’t worry, I have no intention of going anywhere near that causeway unless it’s low tide.
We had the same stupid behavior in my hometown. Cincinnati sits right on the Ohio River and floods periodically, sometimes quite high. You wouldn’t believe the number of drivers who try to get through flooded areas and then are washed away. I am well aware of the vagaries and strength of water, and would never underestimate it.
Stuart, I agree that it’s a bad example for tourists, but it sounds like people are stupid enough to do it, even without the extra incentive.
When we went there last year, upon leaving the island we stopped to take a photo before the tide came in. After visiting Bamburgh Castle we returned and took a photo from the same spot after the tide came in.
Wow, jaimeelsabio - that's a big difference! Very cool photos!
I ❤️ Vera. Thanks pet, er Mardee! I’ve read tourism in that area really had a boost after that show started airing years ago now.
@jaimeelsabio...WOW!!!
@Mardee, you are going to want to go over as soon as it's safe (and you can tell) instead of waiting for the total slack tide (the interval between falling and rising). You'll want as much time as possible on Lindesfarne!
@Wasleys - those pictures are always interesting! The comments were interesting too. Yes, they could stop any further issues by putting up barriers although I suppose there are those that would try to go around the barriers. There is certainly a lot of warning plus signs and tide table posted all thru the village.
“Vera”lives on Lindisfarne in the tv episodes, but in the books her house is apparently on the mainland.
By the way, I caught a glimpse of the lovely “Angel of the North” sculpture from my train going up to Edinburgh a couple of weeks ago.
It’s not too far from the London-Edinburgh line.
You've seen this before the UK. It is screened here on 26 December from 2000 to 2200.
Lyndash, have you seen the latest Christmas episode? One part (not really a spoiler here) that cracked me up is that the tables were turned on Vera and she had her food taken from her! I laughed so hard!
Pam, I will definitely keep that in mind. I have the tide times that Stuart (I think) posted a few months ago and will keep that with me.
Stuart, that's funny! I would have thought that it was released already over there. I know you got the latest season of Shetland before us. It was a good episode, and like I said, the scenery there was just gorgeous!
S J, so cool that you saw the giant Angel of the North sculpture! I definitely want to see it when I'm there.
There is certainly a lot of warning plus signs and tide table posted all thru the village.
And yet people still ignore them and get caught out...
Probably the same people that take selfies at places like Machu Picchu.
Or the Yellowstone tourists who try to stand near Moose or others who climb over barricades for selfies at the Grand Canyon or folks trying to get the best shot of the Tour Of France bicyclists… etc., etc., etc.
Stupid is as stupid does.
I could have sworn as I came back from Church earlier that Claudia had written a longer post about being a location scout, which has now been shortened.
isn31c
Apologies but I shortened my post. Figured I’d blabbed a bit too much.
Happy Christmas!
I'm planning to watch it tonight when I return from my family Christmas dinner. Can't wait. Love Vera!
Claudia, I don't think there is such a thing as blabbing too much, lol! I love hearing about your days as a location scout!
Merry Christmas to you all!
Okay….
Providing clarity AND blabbing some more…
Twas a location scout/manager for years.
The point I was making regarding Vera and the locations is that they help convey the storyline.
Throughout my career when people would ask “what do you actually do “ I’d reply “ provide the canvas for the other departments to create their magic.”
Alas, location scouts and managers are often forgotten while directors and producers heap praise on art departments and production designers.
I didn’t work on the La La Land film but the director complimented his production designer about filming on a closed portion of an LA freeway.
Trust me the designer didn’t deal with CalTrans, nor the Highway Patrol. The Location Department did. Got the permit, paid for the closure, and for the Highway Patrol.
I always loved that the Location Manager got a front end credit on Lawrence of Arabia. Think of how fantastic the locations are on that classic film.
Unfortunately for decades location personnel are acknowledged late in both television and film credits.
Claudia, thanks so much for sharing…..it is fascinating! I’ve always wondered about’How do they do that’ in the middle of cities etc when you watch a movie. You just know finding the location can not be easy.
And Mardee, yes it was a priceless Vera moment when Billy relieves her of that sandwich! I love how she vacillates between wanting to wring his neck and buck up his confidence throughout the show. Also when he said early in the show ‘I can’t swim’, I just knew that would come back to bite him! 😁
Mardee, thanks for the heads up! And Claudia, I appreciated your perspective on location scouting. I'm so excited to watch this one. I read the Ann Cleeves book The Rising Tide and will be curious as to how closely the tv show follows the book's plot.
Also, FYI for anyone looking for good British tv mysteries, we are enjoying season 8 of Shetland on Britbox and Beyond Paradise has dropped a Christmas special!
Sharon, I'm watching season 8 now, too! I love the Ruth Calder character and the plot is really thickening! Do you watch Annika? Another good crime show from Scotland. It stars Nicola Walker, but co-stars Jamie Sives, who is also playing Cal in Shetland this season. I love him (and would marry him if he asked me). 🤣💘
You guys are making me think about giving Vera another try. I watched the first episode recently and wasn't enamored. Worth trying again? Currently enthralled with Shetland and fighting the battle between binging the show and slowing down so I don't run out of episodes. Love the Nordic noir vibe.
Mary, if it's any help, that happened to me as well. I watched one or two episodes a couple of years ago and didn't get into it, so I stopped. But when I tried again this year, I started liking it more. The scenery is gorgeous! I'll be honest - it's not my favorite show (Vera can be a titch annoying at times), but I love the scenery and once I got into it, I found it hard to stop.
I took time out last night to watch the Christmas special of Vera last night. Yes, cinematically very well shot to take full advantage of the scenery.
The new 3 part series 13 starts in the UK on Sunday 7 January.
(Vera can be a titch annoying at times)
I didn't want to say it 😄
Mardee, I will have to try Annika! Thanks for the recommendation.
I agree that Vera can be a bit annoying. I think the books explain the back story a little better. I admire Brenda Blethyn's acting so much that I probably overlook some of the character's quirks. :) And of course, the scenery is spectacular.
I’m on season 5 of Vera and am loving every second of it. I enjoy a show with a strong female lead.
I read a lot of suspense novel series (including Vera) set in various European countries. The glimpses they provide of local life and landscape (often the dark side) are what makes them interesting to me. A totally different picture you get from the glowing tourist versions.
Mary, ha ha!!! I do agree with Sharon about Brenda Blethyn's acting--she is amazing! And although Vera can be irritating, I appreciate how she really cares about the victims, and their families.
Carrie, I also love strong female leads and you're much more likely to get that in the UK, imo. Also characters who look like real people, as opposed to the US.
Stan, I agree with that. I read those same type of novels and they always provide insight into the lives of ordinary people there. And yes, usually much different than what you read in travel literature.
Well, I gave it another try and now halfway through season 3. Maybe I just needed to get used to her.☺️
Ha ha, glad you're enjoying it, Mary!
BTW, has anyone watched "Sherwood" on Britbox? The series is set in Ashfield, a mining district in Nottinghamshire, and is insanely good! It's only one season for now (6 episodes) and I highly, highly recommend it. And it has Lesley Manville and Lorraine Ashbourne in it, two of my favorite female British actors. I could not stop watching it and it definitely hooked me in. There is supposed to be a second season out soon.
I added Sherwood to my list the other day. All these shows are cutting into my travel research time!
Just stay up later, Mary! Who needs sleep? 😂😂😂
I knew that would happen- I clean forgot last night about the new series of Vera. Courtesy of the now cancelled London Tube Strikes a London based researcher moved a field trip forward to Abney Park Cemetery from this coming week to Sunday afternoon (I'd said t her to defer the visit a week) so I ended up with a busy and late Sunday evening inputting her work, thus TV went clean out of my mind.
And I missed 1st Sunday Choral Evensong as well.
Thanks a bunch to both sides in this industrial dispute.
I seem to like grumpy, dysfunctional detectives. Vera is a favorite, but so are the Ian Rankin books starring Rebus.
Laurie Beth, I've read one of the Rebus books a while ago, and keep forgetting to reserve more on Libby. Off to do that now - thanks!
What a difference a month makes. I'm now up to season 8 of Vera. My husband gets a kick out of walking past while I'm watching and seeing her fumbling around in her hat 😄
I absolutely loved Sherwood, too. Lesley Manville is so so good.
Mary, I think Pam just started watching Season 8 of Vera, too! And I wholeheartedly agree about Lesley Manville. She was wonderful and so was the story. I can't wait for the second season!
My husband and I will be starting season 8 tonight. I have to say the mysteries are ridiculously complicated. (We never know who did it until the very end.) I do wish they would develop the secondary characters more and show more of the beautiful Northumbrian scenery. But Brenda Blethyn makes up for any faults the show may have. She is amazing!
Thanks for bringing this series to my attention, Marge. It’s been fun!
Darn auto correct again! Of course I meant Mardee!
Yes, just started in with Vera and SIL was up to Season 8 so that's where I started so she wouldn't have to repeat any. I am really enjoying her! I like that the story is complete in 90 minutes instead of like Shetland where you've got one story over an entire season (as the seasons go on). And surprise! Sandy from Shetland turned up in Vera last night. He was very good in the character he played.
I also realized in looking back that the episode Mardee referred to in her OP was Rising Tide which was the first Vera book I read.
Now I've written down Sherwood for our next series!
I do wish they would develop the secondary characters more
Yes! Kenny needs more backstory, for sure. It's frustrating how so many of them keep disappearing with no explanation. Presumably transferred. I liked Helen the research wiz, and the coroners keep changing!
And surprise! Sandy from Shetland turned up in Vera last night. He was very good in the character he played.
He was, wasn't he? I love seeing actors I "know" turning up in other shows. Pam, I think you will enjoy Sherwood. It's actually based on a true story of the big coal miners strike in the early 80's. The creator, James Graham, is from that area and really wanted to tell the story of the town. Here's the Guardian review of it: https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/jun/13/sherwood-review-the-cleverest-most-compelling-show-ive-seen-in-years
Kenny needs more backstory, for sure. It's frustrating how so many of them keep disappearing with no explanation. Presumably transferred. I liked Helen the research wiz, and the coroners keep changing!
Mary, I agree about the backstory. I think that it changes because the actors get other jobs and leave. I read an article that said many of them love being in the show but hate that they have spend so much time in an out-of-the-way location. Plus the logistics of it - the fact that so much time evolves between filming, and many of them take on other jobs and then can't come back.
FUN FACT: Kenny Doughty (Aiden on the show) is married in real life to Ashley Jensen, who replaced Jimmy Perez on Shetland. 😊
"FUN FACT: Kenny Doughty (Aiden on the show) is married in real life to Ashley Jensen, who replaced Jimmy Perez on Shetland."
I didn't know that, lol!! The Vera we watched last night had Peter Davison from the old All Creatures Great and Small. He was so good as Tristan in that and was excellent in this one.
The UK has produced fabulous acting talent for ages. Olivier, Maggie Smith, Albert Finney, Ian McKellan, Judi Dench, Richard Burton, Helen Mirren, Margaret Rutherford, Martin Shaw, The Fox Family, and all the Dr Who’s ( which includes Peter Davidson) …. It is why I love London theatre…
Last visit it was Mark Rylance in Jerusalem.
Yes, agree Claudia on the number of amazing English actors. I also appreciate that many of the actors model aging in a healthy way.
I was tickled to find out that Kenny Doughy and Ashley Jenson are married! Ashley Jensen was wonderful as DI Ruth Calder in Shetland season 8. And if you like cozy mysteries with a little more humor, she was also fantastic in the Agatha Raisin Cotswolds mysteries on Acorn.
Sharon, thanks for reminding me about Agatha Raisin! I've been meaning to try and watch that and totally forgot!
I just received an email from Britbox about the new Vera season that is coming "very soon." Can't wait! And here is a trailer of the new season if anyone is interested (spoiler alert: Joe is back!).
Aww, look at Joe, all grown up!
variety.com/2024/tv/global/brenda-blethyn-leave-vera-final-season-itv-1235978000/amp/
NNNNNooooooooooo
