Vera cancelled as Brenda Blethyn leaves ITV show after 14 years

ITV’s much-loved crime drama Vera has come to a shocking end after 14 years, with Brenda Blethyn bidding an emotional farewell. The star announced her departure in a touching statement.

“Working on Vera was a joy from start to finish and I’m sad to say Cheerio. But I’m so proud of what we’ve accomplished over the last fourteen years. I’m forever grateful to the wonderful Ann Cleeves who created Vera, and to Elaine Collins who saw fit to entrust me with this role.”

“The producers, the dream cast and crew were fabulous and I will miss them, but I will not forget their immense talent, the camaraderie, laughter or kindness we shared, or the friendship of the people of the North East and our fans around the world. Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” she said.

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Blethyn, known for her Oscar and Emmy-nominated performances, will be relinquishing the iconic trench coat and hat of Detective Inspector Vera Stanhope after the end of the next series, which is set to film this summer and will consist of two two-hour episodes. This is in addition to the existing 54 gripping episodes of the ITV series.