Vera (TV series) 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, who is obsessive about her work and driven by her own demons. She plods along in a constantly dishevelled state, but has a calculating mind and, despite her irascible personality, she cares deeply about
Henry Stanhope, Lord Stanhope Henry Stanhope, Lord Stanhope Henry Stanhope, Lord Stanhope KB (died 29 November 1634), known as Sir Henry Stanhope until 1628, was an English nobleman and politician. He was the second and next surviving son of Philip Stanhope, 1st Earl of Chesterfield and his first wife Catherine Hastings, daughter of Francis Hastings, Lord Hastings, oldest son of George Hastings, 4th Earl of Huntingdon. Amongst his younger brothers were Ferdinando Stanhope and Arthur Stanhope, while his nephew was James Stanhope, 1st Earl Stanhope. He entered the English House of Commons in 1625, sitting for Nottinghamshire in the following two parliaments until 1626.