ITV’s popular series, Vera, is coming to an end sooner than fans anticipated as lead actress Brenda Blethyn has announced her departure from the show after 13 years. The Christmas 2024 TV highlights lineup from ITV includes the final episodes of Vera, alongside new dramas starring Martin Clunes and James Norton.
The crime series, which first aired in 2011, features Brenda Blethyn as Detective Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope, a role she has portrayed in every episode. Despite speculation that the show would return in 2025, ITV has confirmed that the final series will kick off this Christmas. Guest stars in the farewell series include Shobna Gulati, Kevin Whately, Cathy Tyson and Yazmin Kayani.
The concluding episode of Vera has been described as a “poignant” and “emotional” farewell, set to bring Vera back to the iconic local stones, The Dark Wives. The episode will intertwine past and present storylines for a compelling conclusion. In addition to the final episode, ITV will air a celebratory documentary titled Vera… Farewell Pet, featuring behind-the-scenes interviews with the cast and crew.
Brenda Blethyn expressed her gratitude for her time on the show, saying, “Working on Vera has been a joy from beginning to end, and I’m sad to be saying cheerio.” The series, set in the North East of England, has also had a positive impact on tourism in the region, winning accolades at the 2019 RTS North East and Border Awards.
Vera, which follows the adventures of Detective Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope, has been praised for its engaging storylines and character development. The show draws inspiration from Ann Cleeves’s Vera Stanhope crime novels and has consistently attracted a large viewership in the UK.
As fans prepare to bid farewell to Vera, they can also look forward to other Christmas offerings from ITV, including films like Jurassic World: Dominion, Downton Abbey: A New Era, and Rogue One. Brenda Blethyn’s departure marks the end of an era for Vera fans, who have enjoyed following the captivating investigations led by the beloved detective.