The future may not be as it seems when it comes to ITV fan-favourite crime solver DCI Vera Stanhope (played by Brenda Blethyn) despite the sad announcement the next series would be the last.
Last week, Blethyn took to social media to confirm she'd be saying "cheerio" to the iconic character while ITV followed suit and revealed the show would be ending too.
Vera fans will be treated to two more feature-length specials as part of the crime drama's 14th series before the team in Northumbria say goodbye for good.
Inevitably, the announcement led to floods of distraught fans expressing their dismay that the crime drama would draw to a close.
It also led to several pleading with show bosses not to kill Vera off in a definitive and grizzly exit.
But while the announcements may appear to put a full stop to the ITV crime drama, GB News has learned that the Vera universe could continue - in fact, it's more likely than not to do so.
Brenda Blethyn and David Leon will reprise the roles of Vera and Joe Ashworth one more time
ITVIn odds obtained by GB News from BestAnonymousCasinos.com, a Vera spin-off series stands at an odds-on price of 1/4 to come to fruition.
In contrast, however, Blethyn is an outside 4/1 shot to ever reprise the role of DCI Stanhope again.
But if the spin-off does end up on screens, there's one person who's top of the odds to lead the way.
Sarah Lancashire, who's already been tipped by fans to land a leading role in the future of Vera, is priced as a 6/4 favourite to lead any spin-off.
Sarah Lancashire is tipped to lead a Vera spin-off if it comes to fruition
GETTY
The Happy Valley star faces competition, however, from the likes of Diane Morgan and Suranne Jones who are priced at 5/1 and 7/1, respectively.
Other names linked with a potential Vera spin-off include Lesley Manville (8/1), Siobhan Finneran (8/1), Pauline Quirke (9/1) and Amanda Redman (10/1).
Elsewhere, Blethyn is a 1/4 odds-on favourite to see her character make it out of the final alive, while punters can fetch a 3/1 outside price for DCI Stanhope to be killed off.
Liam Solomon, Head of PR for BestAnonymousCasinos.com, told GB News about the markets: "As Brenda Blethyn departs from her 14-year run as the beloved detective Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope, many fans are wondering what is next for the crime series?
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Brenda Blethyn's Vera will come to a close after series 14
ITV"Strong suggestions coming from ITV insiders say that a Vera spin-off is already being discussed, and a show could be announced after the season 14 finale.
"Sarah Lancashire, who is considered English TV drama royalty, is heavily tipped to play the leading role in the spin-off ITV series."
At the time of writing, there has been no official confirmation that a spin-off Vera show is in the works.
A release date for the final two episodes also remains a mystery for now with the cast and crew only recently returning to filming.
