Viewers were left devastated after it was announced that much-loved ITV drama Vera will end after 14 years on screens.
He crime series, which presents Brenda Blethyn78, as DCI Vera Stanhope and is filmed in the North East, will return for one final series early next year.
The Golden Globe-winning actress will finally hang up her famous trench coat and hat after filming the final installment 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 “gutted” by the news, with others calling it “the end of an era.”
Viewers have been left baffled after it was announced that iconic ITV drama Vera will end after 14 years on screens.
They said, ‘I’m devastated. I loved this show and I’m so sad to hear the news’;
‘I get disappointed when my favorite book character is televised but @BrendaBlethyn has been brilliant, the whole series has been excellent, gorgeous settings, thanks @AnnCleeves’;
‘Damn, I’m going to miss it.’ Thank you two goddesses for creating it and portraying it on screen. A big thank you to the many others who made it possible’;
‘I can’t believe #Vera is ending. Many happy afternoons curled up on the couch watching this. Thank you and for giving life to the character #endofanera’;
‘Oh no. One of my favorites on a Sunday night. “It was very comforting to have a female lead who wasn’t afraid to take charge.”
However, others agreed it was time for a change after its long stint on air and hoped it would make room for new television, such as more episodes of the popular thriller Trigger Point, starring Vicky McClure.
Viewers commented: ‘Vera says goodbye after this series. I never saw an episode, I couldn’t understand the concept. An old woman who plays a detective?’;
‘Good news that they are finally firing the terrible #Vera after 13 years. Hopefully this means more episodes of the much better and excellent #TriggerPoint.
Brenda Blethyn decided to hang up Vera’s infamous trench coat and hat after filming season 14 in the North East.
ITV’s iconic drama Vera has come to an end after 14 years on screens. The police series will feature lead star Brenda Blethyn as DCI Vera Stanhope for one epic final season.
Brenda said of filming the final series: “Working on Vera has been a pleasure from start to finish and I’m sad to say Cheerio.”
‘But I am very proud of our achievements over the last fourteen years. I will be forever grateful to the wonderful Ann Cleeves, who created Vera, and Elaine Collins, who saw fit to cast me in the role.
“The producers, cast and dream crew have been fabulous and I will miss them, but I will not forget their enormous talent, the camaraderie, the laughter or kindness we shared or the friendship of the people of the Northeast and our fans throughout the world.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” she added excitedly.
Inspired by award-winning author Ann Cleeves, Vera became a much-loved and acclaimed series, with its compelling stories and captivating performances.
Over the years, the drama has consistently achieved impressive viewing figures, with an average of six million viewers tuning in to the latest series, including viewing on all devices.
But fans are not giving up hope, as the final installment of Vera’s The Dark Wives series, once again written by Cleeves, is due out in August.
Ann said on Twitter: ‘Of course I’m sad that Vera is coming to an end, but what a journey it’s been! Many thanks to the magnificent @BrendaBlethyn and the team.”
Viewers said they were “crushed” by the news, with others calling it the “end of an era”, but some thought it was time for it to end.
Brenda previously cast doubt on her future with Vera after she was left heartbroken by her 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 DS Healy badge. I can confirm that he left Vera.
And Brenda was so sad with the news that she didn’t know if she wanted to continue on the show herself.
She said: ‘After filming The Rising Tide at the end of 2022, I no longer wanted to live without Kenny Doughty, who had decided to leave.
Before hanging up her famous trench coat and hat, Brenda will return to her beloved Northumberland and the North East to film the latest installment this summer.
But I said, “I’ll think about it if you can see if David Leon is available to return as Joe Ashworth.” And so they did and here I am.
“I was heartbroken when David left after season four and equally overjoyed when I heard he was coming back because the relationship between Vera and Joe was working so well.
‘They have all that 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 making many more. And who would want to do it anyway?