Vera (TV series) audience of 6.53 million over four episodes, whilst the fourth series attracted a slightly smaller audience of 6.42 million over four episodes. In 2018 the ratings increased to between 8 to 9 million viewers. Vera (TV series) Vera is a British crime drama series based on novels of the same name, written by crime writer Ann Cleeves. It was first broadcast on ITV on 1 May 2011, and to date, eight series have aired. The series stars Brenda Blethyn as the principal character, Detective Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope. Vera is a middle-aged employee of the fictional Northumberland & City Police,
John Stanhope, 1st Baron Stanhope by his son, Charles Stanhope. Stanhope was twice married: first to Joan, daughter of William Knollys, by whom he had no issue; and secondly, on 6 May 1589, to Margaret, daughter of Henry MacWilliams, one of the queen's gentlemen pensioners. By her he had issue: The later peers of the Stanhope family descend from the first baron's brother, Thomas. John Stanhope, 1st Baron Stanhope John Stanhope, 1st Baron Stanhope (1549? – 9 March 1621) was an English courtier, politician and peer. He was the third son of Sir Michael Stanhope, born in Yorkshire, but brought up in Nottinghamshire after his