ITV has announced iconic drama Vera was ending after 14-years.
The crime series, featuring Oscar nominated actress Brenda Blethyn, 78, as DCI Vera Stanhope, will return for one final series early next year.
The news came after Brenda finally decided to hang up her famous trench coat and hat, no doubt leaving amateur sleuths around the country devastated.
But any good detective could see that the clues were there all along, from schedule shake-ups to cast quitting.
Did you spot them?
ITV has announced iconic drama Vera was ending after 14-years (Brenda Blethyn pictured with co-star Devid Leon)
But any good detective could see that the clues were there all along, from schedule shake-up to cast quitting
Cast quitting
Brenda, 78, was already casting doubt about her future on the show after being left heartbroken over co-star Kenny Doughty’s decision to leave the quit – and said she would have left herself if former co-star David Leon did not return.
Actor Kenny, 48, who played DS Aiden Healy, took to Instagram in March 2023 to let fans know of his departure.
He wrote: ‘After 8 years & 35 Vera films I’ve made the difficult decision of handing over DS Healy’s badge. I can confirm I am leaving Vera.’
And Brenda was left so saddened by the news that she did not know if she wanted to continue on the programme herself.
She said: ‘After we filmed The Rising Tide at the end of 2022 I didn’t want to do anymore without Kenny Doughty, who had decided to leave’.
Thankfully David, 43, returned as Vera’s sidekick DI Joe Ashworth, almost a decade after first quitting from the role.
Brenda said: ‘I was broken-hearted when David left after series four and equally overjoyed when I heard he was coming back as the relationship between Vera and Joe worked so well’.
Brenda, 78, was already casting doubt about her future on the show after being left heartbroken over co-star Kenny Doughty’s decision to leave the quit (pictured together on the show)
She admitted she would have left herself if former co-star David Leon (pictured) did not return as Vera’s sidekick DI Joe Ashworth – which thankfully he did
The show, which first aired in 2001, has more recently seen it’s number of episodes drop
‘They have all of that early history together. I wouldn’t have continued if David had not agreed to come back.
Before adding: ‘I just didn’t want to start another board game with somebody else when I know I’m not going to do many more. And who would want to do it anyway?’.
Series shake-up
The show, which first aired in 2001, has more recently seen it’s number of episodes drop.
The 11th season in 2021 featured six stories, while the 12th only included four along with a Christmas special.
The 13th outing, which aired earlier this year included less again, just four episodes, while Vera’s final outing in 2025 will be only a two-partner.
Homesick heroin
The show is made on location in Newcastle upon Tyne and throughout Northumberland in North East England.
With Brenda previously admitting she found filming difficult due to the long strengths of time she has to spend away home and husband Michael Mayhew.
Brenda previously admitting she found filming on location difficult due to the long strengths of time she has to spend away home and husband Michael Mayhew
Saying: ‘Each episode takes five weeks to film and then we have a week off. But two of those days off are taken up in going home and coming back again’ (Pictured with husband Michael in 2012)
Telling The Mirror: ‘Each episode takes five weeks to film and then we have a week off. But two of those days off are taken up in going home and coming back again’.
‘My husband used to say my body comes home a month before my head. It’s quite hard to switch off. Also, in that time off I’m working on the script for the next episode. So I’m really still working but just at home,’
Harking back to history
The latest series saw the character pay a special nod to the show’s very first episode, which may have been hinting to viewers the show was finally coming to a close.
Speaking about the moment earlier this year Brenda said: ‘There are echoes in the first new film of the very first Vera episode which keen fans may spot. Including a scene at the North Shields fish quay where her father Hector’s ashes were scattered,’
Following the announcement Brenda said about filming the final series: ‘Working on Vera has been a joy from beginning to end and I’m sad to be saying Cheerio’
Over the years, the drama has consistently pulled in impressive viewing figures, with an average six million viewers tuning in for the last series, including viewing across all devices
Following the announcement the actress praised the iconic character and said about filming the final series: ‘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,’ she added emotionally
Inspired by the award-winning author Ann Cleeves, Vera has become a much-loved and acclaimed series, with its compelling storylines and captivating performances.
Over the years, the drama has consistently pulled in impressive viewing figures, with an average six million viewers tuning in for the last series, including viewing across all devices.
