Vera fans ‘work out’ heartbreaking death twist ahead of Brenda Blethyn’s final episodes of ITV drama

ITV fans are convinced they’ve worked out the ending to beloved drama Vera - but there’s a tragic twist. 

Brenda Blethyn is returning for the fourteenth and final series of Vera, but will her character make it out alive?

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Following the success of series 13, ITV confirmed that Vera would be back for one last adventure. 

After the news broke, star Brenda, 78, who plays the titular DI Vera Stanhope, paid tribute to the long-running drama which first premiered in 2011. 

In an emotional statement, she said: “Working on Vera has been a joy from beginning to end and I’m sad to be saying Cheerio. But I am so proud of our achievements over the last fourteen years.”

“I’ll be forever grateful to the wonderful Ann Cleeves who created Vera, and to Elaine Collins, who saw fit to cast me in the role.”

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Brenda added: “The producers, dream cast and crew have been fabulous and I’m going to miss them, but I won’t forget their huge talent, the camaraderie, laughter or kindness we shared nor the friendship of the people of the northeast and our fans worldwide. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

Series 14 is set to conclude Vera’s story, and filming of the final series concluded in July. Comprised of two episodes, the series is expected to air in Spring 2025. 

Few details of the upcoming series have been confirmed by ITV. However, fans think they have worked out one heartbreaking detail - Vera might die. 

Positing that Vera might meet her end on Reddit, one TV fan said: “They’re gonna kill her off, aren’t they? The angina is finally going to come up again... noooo.” (sic)

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Devastated by the possibility of Vera’s death, another fan wrote: “That’s made me sad, no more Vera.”

Viewers have also theorised how Vera’s death might happen, with one suggesting that she may suffer ill health. 

One suggested Vera’s love of bacon butties may lead to a heart attack. “Am I wrong in thinking the only food I remember Vera eating was a bacon butty?” while a second mentioned an episode where Joe tried to encourage healthier eating due to her angina symptoms, they wrote. 

But another viewer suggested Vera’s last moments might end because of something more daring as Brenda’s stunt double was spotted prominently on the set of series 14.

Whether Vera dies - and how it might happen - remains to be seen. But, whatever the case, the final series of Vera promises to be action-packed. 

And Brenda won’t be the only familiar face returning to Northumberland. 

Vera's Cast Over The Last 14 Years

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:

• Brenda Blethyn
• David Leon
• Jon Morrison
• Riley Jones
• Wunmi Mosaku
• Paul Ritter
• Cush Jumbo
• Sonya Cassidy
• Clare Calbraith
• Kingsley Ben-Adir
• Kenny Doughty
• Lisa Hammond
• Noof McEwan
• Christopher Colquhoun
• Steve Evets
• Ibinabo Jack
• Paul Kaye
• Sarah Kameela
• Rhiannon Clements

“The core regular team will return alongside Brenda - David Leon, Jon Morrison, Rhiannon Clements, Sarah Kameela Impey and Riley Jones,” an ITV spokesperson confirmed. 

Series 1 to 13 of Vera are available to stream on ITVX.