ITV has confirmed the release date of the final episode of one of its best dramas Vera after more than a decade on our screens.
Launched in 2011, the crime drama followed Brenda Blethyn, 78, in the titular role of the unorthodox trench coat-wearing DCI Vera Stanhope, who investigates a series of puzzling crimes in Northumberland.
But after 14 series it is drawing to a close with the last two two-hour episodes will air on New Year’s Day and Thursday January 2 at 8pm on ITV and STV.
After broadcast, they will also be made available on streaming platforms ITVX and STV Player.
And to round off Vera’s farewell week, an accompanying factual documentary, Vera farewell pet, will be on Friday January 3, at 9pm on ITV1 and STV.
ITV previously hinted at what viewers can expect in the last two instalments of the long-running show.
In the first episode, Vera is called back to the banks of the Tyne where the body of a young man has been discovered by some anglers.
Meanwhile, the second follows Vera investigating a second murder after a body is found at the foot of the legendary local stones The Dark Wives.
Earlier this year, Brenda spoke about the end of Vera and her departure from the show.
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 14 years.’
Vera is based on the Vera Stanhope novels written by Ann Cleeves, whose works have also been adapted into the TV shows Shetland and The Long Call.
Brenda continued: ‘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.
‘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 North East and our fans worldwide. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.’
In 2020, Brenda half-joked that she felt like quitting Vera ‘after every series’ but always ends up returning because she misses the character and her co-stars.
Asked whether she was sure about playing DCI Vera Stanhope again, Brenda confessed: ‘It’s the same after every series. “Oh Vera…”, “No shut up, go away I don’t want to talk to you!”
‘Then you think, “Oh where’s my mates? Where’s Vera? Where’s Kenny [Doughty], where’s Jon [Morrison]?”
Her co-star Kenny Doughty, who played DS Aiden Healy on the show, added that the intense filming schedule can take its toll.
He told press: ‘For six months it’s intense. We do 15 hours a day for six months and we’re kind of, there’s a lot of travel and location, and we’re battling the elements and the every day putting out of fires metaphorically speaking of filmmaking.
‘So at the end of it you’re kind of like, “I just want to be at home and put me slippers on and not think about it” I think.’
Ver airs on ITV1 and STV at 8 pm on January 1 and 2, followed by the companion documentary Vera farewell pet, on January 3 at 9 pm.
Final episode of one of ITV’s most beloved dramas ever is just weeks away