BRENDA Blethyn has addressed a potential Vera spin-off ahead of her final ever episodes this January.
The Bafta-winning actress has quit the long-running ITV drama after 14 years playing legendary DI Vera Stanhope.
Over the course of two movie-length episodes fans will see Vera bow out of her role.
But despite appetite and rumours of a spin-off series, Brenda is firmly closing the door on the character.
Speaking to The Sun about any potential prequel, the 78-year-old said: “Not that I’m aware of. No, I’ve not heard any.
“People sometimes say is there going to be a prequel? Personally, I don’t think they ever work.
“That’s not to say I don’t like Endeavour. I do, and I love Morse, and I loved Endeavour, but I saw no connection between the two. It was just an excuse to make a… a period set piece, which I liked, but it had nothing to do with Morse as far as I could tell.”
She added: “Same with Jane Tennison. They did a prequel that didn’t work at all.”
Brenda previously told The Sun she decided to hang up her hat and mac to spend time with her family.
She explained: “As much as I loved all that, I’ve got a family at home and I realised I hadn’t had a summer for 14 years with my family.
“So I still did another series because I couldn’t drag myself away.
“But anyway it was time, that’s all.”
Brenda’s final episodes will air on January 1 and 2 at 8pm, with a factual special, Vera: Farewell Pet to follow on January 3 at 9pm.
All three episodes will air on ITV1 and later, streaming service ITVX.
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:
