Vera star Brenda Blethyn 'crying' as she quits show and shares surprising conclusion
The much-loved ITV drama Vera is set to conclude after 14 series, and the final two episodes were filmed over the summer by lead actress Brenda Blethyn and her Vera co-stars, with the feature-length mysteries set to be broadcast on New Year's Day at 8pm, followed by the second serial on Thursday, January 2 at the same time on ITV1.
But Brenda admitted that while it was a "hard decision" to leave the show, she ultimately felt it was the right choice for her and her family. Brenda added that she'll will "probably cry" when she doesn't visit north east England to film 'Vera' in March.
The 78-year-old actress - who played detective Vera Stanhope in the ITV1 crime drama - quit the show after 14 years to spend more time with her family, but she had admitted to likely be shedding a tear early next year when she isn't making her usual trip to shoot the programme.
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She said: "It was a hard decision, and come March, when I would normally be getting ready to go back up there, I'll probably be crying.
"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."
Speculation is rife that the show's protagonist, DCI Stanhope, could face death in the final episode. Despite the series coming to a close, fans can take solace in knowing that Vera will not disappear from screens immediately following the finale.
However, it has been officially confirmed that these two new episodes won't be the last we see of Vera in the New Year, as the popular drama will also have its own spin-off.
The documentary Vera, Farewell Pet will be aired on Friday, January 3, a day after the final episode. It will celebrate the show's immense success, premiering on ITV in 2011.
Brenda has also shared a rather surprising conclusion as she revealed that she'll be sitting down with her husband and her dog to watch the final episodes.
She said: "I always watch the episodes live when they're on telly if I can. It'll probably just be me, my husband and my dog, Jack, sitting down to tune in."
And despite no longer appearing on screens anymore as the detective after January 2, she will be keeping the spirit of the much-loved character alive with her used props.
Brenda revealed: "I have got the mac and hat! I think I've got the coat as well, the tweedy one - although it looks like it's been through the mill."
