Vera brings criminal comfort to Sunday nights on ITV

It’s just possible that, in the past, we may have been a little critical of ITV’s insistence on flogging a good crime drama idea to death – but we reckon we have had some justification. Just take a moment to recall those loooooonnnnggggg-running series A Touch of Frost, Morse and its spin-offs Lewis and Endeavour, Taggart (in all its manifestations), Foyle’s neverending War, Heartbeat and its spin-off The Royal.

See what we mean? It’s a roll-call of stuff-that-has-been-done-before.

Vera may only be about to start on its third run, so we may be guilty of being a little premature, yer honour, but we fear it’s going to follow the well-travelled ITV route to Jadedtown.

All the signs are there. A popular and likeable main character, played by a popular and likeable star; a script that’s slicker than an F1 dry-weather tyre; production values higher than a room full of monkeys playing with a helium canister; a long list of stories to go at; and a strong yet gentle chemistry between the leading characters that – in the right circumstances – could create life.

That’s now. In series to come, the characters will be just as likeable, the scripts just as clever and the production values just as high, but the whole thing will become as comfortable and predictable as an old cat on an overstuffed armchair.

We hope Vera won’t fall into the same ITV cash cow trap, as this third series opens with a terrific little mystery: who shot young physiotherapist Lizzie Faulkner?

She was supposed to be enjoying a girly weekend away with her two BFFs when she is killed in what appears to be a motiveless crime.

Vera and her team quickly focus on a prime suspect in the form of a local lamper who just happens to have spent time behind bars for a violent offence.

Unfortunately, they just can’t make their case stick. And, when one of the young victim’s patients is also killed, it soon turns out there are a whole host of people with at least two of the three TV whodunit cliches – means, motive and opportunity.

There’s the bitter husband of a car crash victim. There’s his son. There’s her secret  lover. There’s her secret lover’s wife. It’s not beyond the realms of possibility that there’s a random bloke in a pub, too, who is put under investigation at some point.

That’s the thing with Vera. It does predictably unpredictable crime drama very well. There are plot twists, surprises and red herrings aplenty – and it’s all held together by the astonishingly talented Brenda Blethyn.

Yes, it’s very, very good, and we’re absolutely sure it will continue to be a hit with viewers, advertisers and critics alike. What remains to be seen, however, is just how long it takes for the series to wear out its welcome…

THE WHO, WHAT, WHEN OF IT

WHAT’S IT CALLED?

Vera

WHEN IS IT ON?

8pm, Sunday, August 25

WHAT CHANNEL (UK and IRELAND)?

ITV

WHO’S IN IT?

Brenda Blethyn, David Leon, Jon Morrison, Paul Ritter, Richard Riddell, Nicholas Gleaves, Vinette Robinson

WHO SHOULD WATCH IT?

People looking for an easy night of clever crime drama viewing.

WHO SHOULDN’T WATCH IT?

Anyone who’s looking for something with a little bit of an edge.