At first, I struggled with the accents and generally expected very little from a show that seemed grimy for the sake of being grimy. "Social issues; the long-deindustrialized North; dislocation... ...we get it, ITV", I thought to myself.
After a few episodes, though, Vera had me mesmerized. If you are 50+ and living alone, the central character captures the heartbreak like no one else on TV. Part wisdom, part resignation, part tremendous maturity and hence humanity.
Not many actors can be shown silently eating soup at a fellow officer's house and yet project almost with an inaudible scream the anguish they are feeling. Like the greatest of film and TV stars, Vera "does nothing" to devastating effect. It will have you crying one minute and laughing the next.
After a few episodes, though, Vera had me mesmerized. If you are 50+ and living alone, the central character captures the heartbreak like no one else on TV. Part wisdom, part resignation, part tremendous maturity and hence humanity.
Not many actors can be shown silently eating soup at a fellow officer's house and yet project almost with an inaudible scream the anguish they are feeling. Like the greatest of film and TV stars, Vera "does nothing" to devastating effect. It will have you crying one minute and laughing the next.