The future of ITV detective drama Vera has been revealed after main star Brenda Blethyn announced she was quitting the iconic show after 14 years.
Brenda, 78, is set to don Vera’s famous trench coach for the last time in two special episodes that will air next year. Bidding farewell to her formidable character, Brenda said: “Working on Vera has been a joy from beginning to end and I’m sad to be saying Cheerio. But I am so proud of our achievements over the last 14 years. I’ll be forever grateful to the wonderful Ann Cleeves who created Vera, and to Elaine Collins who saw fit to cast me in the role.”
She continued: “The Producers, dream cast and crew have been fabulous and I’m going to miss them, but I won’t forget their huge talent, the camaraderie, laughter or kindness we shared nor the friendship of the people of the northeast and our fans worldwide. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Vera, originally based on the books by Anne Cleeves, first aired on ITV back in 2011 and has since screened 54 episodes. Silverprint Pictures, who make the show, called it the “end of an era” but confirmed ITV had commissioned two special episodes of the show to air next year for the 14th and final series. Rather than a whole series, they will be screened in two longer 90-minute episodes.
The show's Creative Director Kate Bartlett said: “It is the end of an era and has been an extraordinary journey over fourteen amazing series of Vera. So many wonderful and talented people have been involved in the making of Vera across all the series, but none of us would be here without two incredible women: firstly, the absolutely extraordinary talent of the inimitable Brenda Blethyn.
"She is brilliant as DCI Vera Stanhope, a truly iconic character of our times. And - of course - the amazing Ann Cleeves, author of the original novels and creator of DCI Vera Stanhope. We will all be very sad to say goodbye to Brenda and everyone involved in making the show.”
Executive Producer Huw Kennair Jones added: “Led by the incomparable Brenda Blethyn, from the moment Vera arrived on our screens in 2011 audiences have been enthralled by her many adventures. And whilst we’re sad she’s hanging up her Mac, we’re hugely grateful for 14 brilliant series. Everyone at ITV would like to thank Brenda, Ann Cleeves, Silverprint Pictures and the amazing cast and crew that have made Vera such a continued success.”
*All 13 current series of Vera are available to stream on ITVX now
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