Brenda Blethyn’s Vera to face ‘deadly threat’ in last ever series of hit ITV drama

BRENDA Bleythn’s beloved character DI Vera Stanhope is set to face a deadly threat in the last ever series of the hit ITV detective drama.

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

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

Few details of the upcoming series have been revealed by ITV, but Brenda’s character could be in grave danger, which may even prove fatal. 

Ann Cleeves, the author who brought Vera to life in her DSCI Stanhope novels, announced at this year’s Royal Television Society North East awards that she had been working on a new book; The Dark Wives.

Ahead of its release this week, more details have surfaced about its plot and the potential danger Vera and her team find themselves in.

A teaser from Pan Macmillan for the much-anticipated novel reveals a tale woven around a “local myth and a deadly threat.”

The story of The Dark Wives will follow Vera as she tackles a mysterious death.

A corpse discovered in Northumberland’s untamed countryside sets off the investigation, tying in with a teenager’s vanishing and the subsequent finding of another body.

The sneak peek points to deep-seated community secrets, hinting: “But it seems that there are dark secrets in their community - ones that may be far more dangerous than she (Vera) could ever have believed.”

With Vera set to face “a deadly threat,” will she survive her final outing?

As fans of the ITV detective drama know, Vera will not return after series 14. When this news was announced, star Brenda 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.”

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.”

Alongside Brenda, there will be more familiar faces returning to Northumberland for the final series. 

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