Brenda Blethyn OBE was seen filming her last-ever scenes as Vera in Gateshead on Wednesday after its fourteenth series was revealed to be its last.
The actress, 78, strutted down Swinburne Street in a green trench coat, and Vera’s signature green bucket hat and red scarf.
She grinned and waved as she headed into her large trailer with an assistant after a long day of shooting.
Brenda has portrayed the ‘nearly retired’ DCI Vera Stanhope since the ITV crime drama’s inception in 2011.
Thirteen years, fourteen series, and fifty-four episodes later, Vera will end sometime in 2025 when its fourteenth series airs.
Brenda Blethyn OBE, 78, was seen filming her last-ever scenes as Vera in Gateshead on Wednesday after its fourteenth series was revealed to be its last
The actress, 78, strutted down Swinburne Street in a green trench coat, and Vera’s signature green bucket hat and red scarf
It was announced Vera would be coming to an end in April, and days later Brenda attended a series fourteen read-through for episode one of only two.
An emotional Brenda, who first starred in the role in 2011, said at the time: ‘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 fourteen 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.
‘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 north east and our fans worldwide.
‘Thank you from the bottom of my heart.’
Silverprint Pictures Creative Director Kate Bartlett commented: ‘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.
Brenda has portrayed the ‘nearly retired’ DCI Vera Stanhope since the ITV crime drama’s inception in 2011
Thirteen years, fourteen series, and fifty-four episodes later, Vera will end sometime in 2025 when its fourteenth series, which has only two episodes, airs
‘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.’
Drama Commissioner 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.’
