Fans of hit ITV drama Vera have taken to social media in their droves in recent days following the sad news the upcoming 14th series would be the last.
Brenda Blethyn and her Vera cast mates have returned to filming for the iconic northern drama as they prepare to say farewell to DCI Stanhope for good.
Since 2011, fans have tuned in to see how Blethyn's alter-ego deals with the countless murky mysteries she faces against the Northumberland backdrop.
Blethyn has become a huge fan-favourite among crime drama fans as a result and has remained the one of a few ever-present figures in the show.
As a result, fans have now pleaded with ITV show bosses not to end the drama in tragic circumstances for their favourite DCI.
Concerns were raised when ITV shared a snap of Blethyn alongside co-stars David Leon and Riley Jones on its Instagram page to confirm production was now underway.
The channel's verified account wrote alongside the snaps: "The end of a (V)era. Filming is now underway for the 14th and final series of Vera."
It didn't take long for several followers to express their dismay in the comments, with a vast number pleading with ITV after fearing the worst.
One fan replied: "So sad that this is finishing, but I guess all good things must come to an end; but please don’t kill Vera off, let her have a happy retirement."
A second similarly begged" "Oh no I love Vera watched every single series. Vera will be very much missed. I hope it's not a sad ending to final series."
Brenda Blethyn has starred in Vera since day one
ITV
And another asked: "Please don’t kill her off just incase one day she decides to come back best show ever so sad it’s the last one xx."
Meanwhile, several famous faces also took to the comments to share their upset, including Kate Garraway who penned: ""Looking forward to this - soooo sad it’s the end!"
Over on X, formerly Twitter, Blethyn found herself inundated with distraught messages from the show's fandom when she confirmed her exit.
Blethyn wrote on the social media site: "Many thanks to everyone for your good wishes. So very much appreciated.
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Vera series 14 will be the final series of the ITV drama
INSTAGRAM/ITV
"Getting ready to start filming Series 14 of Vera next week. Gonna be hard saying farewell."
Her co-star Jones similarly took to the social media site to address the show's ending but seemed more excited than dismayed.
The DC Mark Edwards star simply wrote in response to the filming news: "Here we go again! #Vera." (sic)
A release date for Vera series 14 is yet to be confirmed with filming only just beginning and plot details remain under wraps for now as fans eagerly await to learn of DCI Stanhope's fate.
