bowing out
Vera’s Brenda Blethyn reveals the real reason she quit hit ITV drama after 14 years – and what she stole from set
The BAFTA-winning actress recently hinted at what's to come in Vera's final episodes
BRENDA Blethyn has called time on Vera after 14 years - but has revealed that she has a plan to keep the beloved detective alive.
The actress has quit the hit ITV drama to spend more time with her family.
But she has managed to keep a few mementos from the gentle cop show.
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She said: "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.
"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.
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"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."
Brenda's final episodes will air on January 1 and 2 at 8pm, with a factual special, Vera: Farewell Pet to follow on January 3 at 9pm.
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All three episodes will air on ITV1 and later, streaming service ITVX.
Last month, Bafta winner Brenda teased how Vera will come to an end after 14 years on air.
Vera writer breaks silence on Brenda Blethyn's exit from hit ITV drama ahead of final ever series
During an event at the BFI in London celebrating the show's success, the actress replied when asked about the finale: "No comment. I'm not going to tell you."
However, she hinted at a rocky time ahead for DI Vera Stanhope and her colleague Joe Ashworth (David Leon).
It comes as David Leon reprised his role as Joe after ten years away from the ITV crime drama.
Brenda said: "Joe has something going on that he doesn't want to talk about and Vera is anxious to get to the bottom of that.
"We know he came back to the area because his father was ill. He passed away we've already seen that.
"Joe doesn't seem to have come out of that dungeon and Vera's concerned about that."
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
In the meantime, the titular character faces a momentous change upon learning her boss intends to promote her.
Brenda said: "Vera's superior, the Chief Inspector, wants to promote her, and so it's a big decision for Vera to make."
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With some fans, what will Vera's fate look like by the show's end?
Vera airs on ITV1 and ITV1X.
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