The car park was transformed into a set Pictures: JIM SCOTT THE cast and crew from ITVs Vera were spotted filming in Sunderland this morning - as filming for the next series continues. Brenda Blethyn along with Kenny Doughty were spotted by eagled-eyed fans as Sunderland s Civic Centre car park was transformed into a set. Blethyn, who plays DCI Vera Stanhope in the hit TV series, was seen as filming for the 11th series continued. This afternoon, the exterior of the Civic Centre car park was cordoned off by production crew as the adjacent Burdon Road was covered in production vans.