A TRAGIC death is confirmed in the Vera series finale as Brenda Blethyn shares her regret over quitting the iconic role after 14 years.
The beloved crime drama sees Brenda play the role of DCI Vera Stanhope, who is tasked with investigating complex murders.
In January, fans will watch as Brenda plays out her final scenes as the iconic detective – but what happens to her in the episode is still a secret.
However, despite quitting her role earlier this year, the acclaimed actress has revealed she has no plans to fully retire yet.
Does this mean she could come back as the iconic Vera?
Speaking prior to the final two episodes, the actress discussed her future plans beyond the show.
Explaining how fully she understood her role as Vera, she said: “When you come to a new job, quite often with the nature of filming, you have very little time.
“You turn up on day one and shoot a scene, and filming is not chronological, so it’s hard to get under the skin of a character.
“While in the theatre, you rehearse for a month and get to understand the character very well, and it is performed chronologically.
“But it’s not the same in film and television. You’ve got to turn up knowing it, and that’s it.
“You don’t get much time to interact with the other actors.
“But obviously, for me, Vera was different because I’ve been on it for so long, I could enter her world more fully” reports Chronicle Live.
Brenda explained that she quit her role because she didn’t want to be away for months filming the Vera series anymore.
“So I’m not retiring,” she explained. “Maybe semi-retired. I don’t want to be doing jobs which means going away for long periods of time. I’ve done that for the last 14 years.”
But, there again, never say never,” she jokingly teased, hinting that she might return to her role as DCI Stanhope one day.
She recalled her feeling of regret as she filmed her last day on the Vera set: “I couldn’t help thinking, ‘Oh, I’m making a mistake here. Why oh why, Brenda?’
Since its launch back in 2011 Vera has gripped ITV viewers with its crime stories - and dozens of actors have appeared in the show, including:
“Come March when I would normally be packing my bag to go back up north to film another series of Vera, I’ll probably be regretting my decision. But right here and right now, it’s the right one for me and my family.”
While fans have been worried that Vera might die in the final episodes, ITV bosses have confirmed one death – Joe’s father.
The synopsis for the final two episodes reads: “In this final series, the personal and professional collide like never before when the sudden prospect of promotion confronts Vera with a life-affecting change.
“DI Joe Ashworth (David Leon) continues to grow in his new role, exploring his own investigative style.
“But despite his dogged dedication, it doesn’t take Vera long to recognise something’s not right with Joe.
“Struck by grief following the death of his dad, can Vera get through to him before his work seriously suffers?
“With all of this to contend with, Vera must also decide if her trusted team of diligent detectives, Kenny (Jon Morrison), Mark (Riley Jones), Steph (Rhiannon Clements) and pathologist Dr Paula Bennett (Sarah Kameela Impey) are ready to stand on their own feet.
“We first catch up with Vera when she is called to the banks of the Tyne after the body of a young delivery driver is discovered by morning anglers.
“As Vera begins her investigation, she discovers the victim had recently been released from prison after serving time for GBH.
“Could this have something to do with his untimely demise? Has our former inmate been served cold justice?
“Or does his death run deeper? A broken relationship, secret love, grudges, regret, fraud…a complicated picture begins to emerge.”
Vera is also tasked with investigating a high-profile cold case when a former steel union man has his twenty year conviction for killing his wife overturned.
The synopsis continues: “In the soulful final episode, the violent death of a bright young student is next for Vera to unravel after a body is found beneath a mysterious local monument known as The Dark Wives in a village from Vera’s childhood.
“Gang related? Ritualistic? One thing is for certain the body was moved there. But by who?
“Vera soon learns that our student was a volunteer at a local children’s home, and one of their residents, a young girl, has gone missing overnight.
“Surely the two cases are related? Well, that’s what Vera wants to find out.”
Vera will return to ITV1 and ITVX on New Years Day at 8pm.
