Vera viewers ‘crushed’ now that beloved crime drama with Brenda Blethyn is fired after fourteen years

Viewers have been left devastated after it was announced that much-loved ITV drama Vera is ending after 14 years on screens.

The crime series, which is provided Brenda Blethyn78, which stars DCI Vera Stanhope and is filmed in the North East, will return for a final series early next year.

The Golden Globe-winning actress will finally hang up her famous trench coat and hat after filming the final episode this summer.

The series first aired in 2011 and is based on the best-selling novels by Ann Cleeves, who says she will continue to write more books featuring the beloved character.

But viewers said they were ‘crushed’ by the news, while others called it ‘the end of an era’.

They said, ‘I’m crushed. I loved this show and am so sad to hear the news’;

‘I’m disappointed when my favorite character in a book is televised, but @BrendaBlethyn was brilliant, the whole series was excellent, beautiful sets, thank you @AnnCleeves’;

“Damn, I’m going to miss it. Thank you two goddesses for creating it and portraying her on screen. A big shout out to the many others who made this possible’;

‘I can’t believe #Vera is ending. Many happy evenings were spent lying on the couch watching this. Thank you and for bringing the character #endofanera to life’;

‘Oh no. One of my favorites on Sunday evenings. It was so refreshing to have a female lead who wasn’t afraid to take charge.”

However, others agreed it was time for a change after his long stint on air and hoped there would be room for new TV, such as more episodes of the hit thriller Trigger Point, starring Vicky McClure.

Viewers said: ‘Vera is saying goodbye after this series. I’ve never seen an episode, couldn’t understand the concept. An older woman playing detective?’;

‘Good news that finally undoes the terrible #Vera after 13 years. Hopefully this means more episodes of the much better and excellent #TriggerPoint.”

Speaking about filming the final series, Brenda said: ‘Working on Vera was a joy from start to finish and I’m sad to say Cheerio.

‘But I am so proud of what we have achieved over the past fourteen years. I will 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, the dream cast and the crew were fantastic and I will miss them, but I will not miss their immense talent, the camaraderie, the laughter and the 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 award-winning author Ann Cleeves, Vera became a beloved and critically acclaimed series, with its compelling storylines and captivating performances.

Over the years, the drama has consistently delivered impressive viewing figures, with an average of six million viewers watching the latest series, including viewing on all devices.

But hope is not lost for fans as the latest installment of the Vera series The Dark Wives, again written by Cleeves, will be released in August.

Ann said on Twitter: ‘Of course I’m sad to see Vera come to an end, but what a ride it was! Thank you so much to the amazing @BrendaBlethyn and the team.”

Brenda previously cast doubt on her future with Vera after being heartbroken over co-star Kenny Doughty’s decision to leave the show.

Actor Kenny, 48, who played DS Aiden Healy, took to Instagram in March last year to inform fans of his departure.

He wrote: ‘After 8 years and 35 Vera films I have made the difficult decision to hand over the badge from DS Healy. I can confirm that I am leaving Vera.’

And Brenda was so saddened by the news that she didn’t know if she wanted to continue with the program herself.

She said: ‘After we filmed The Rising Tide at the end of 2022, I didn’t want to be without Kenny Doughty, who had decided to leave.

But I said, “I’ll think about it when you can see if David Leon is available to return as Joe Ashworth.” And they did and here I am.

‘I was heartbroken when David left after series four and just as happy when I heard he was coming back because Vera and Joe’s relationship worked so well.

‘They have the whole early history together. I wouldn’t have continued if David hadn’t agreed to come back.

“I just didn’t want to start another board game with someone else when I know I won’t be doing many more. And who would actually want to do that?’