ITV Vera fans were left devastated when it was announced the upcoming 14th series will be its last - with many recently pleading with ITV bosses to commission a spin-off series.
Vera actress Brenda Blethyn released a statement regarding the end of the series earlier this year and 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.
"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."
Creative director of the show, Kate Bartlett commented: "It is the end of an era and has been an extraordinary journey over fourteen amazing series of Vera.
"So many wonderful and talented people have been involved in the making of Vera across all the series, but none of us would be here without two incredible women: firstly, the absolutely extraordinary talent of the inimitable Brenda Blethyn.
many thanks to everyone for your good wishes. so very much appreciated. getting ready to start filming Series 14 of Vera next week. gonna be hard saying farewell.
— Brenda Blethyn (@BrendaBlethyn) April 24, 2024
"She is brilliant as DCI Vera Stanhope, a truly iconic character of our times. And - of course - the amazing Ann Cleeves, author of the original novels and creator of DCI Vera Stanhope.
"We will all be very sad to say goodbye to Brenda and everyone involved in making the show.”
Production of the final two feature-length episodes began in May, with Blethyn recently filming her last scene on July 12 in locations such as Blyth, Gateshead, South Shields and Glanton.
Blethyn told fans she'd been left "tired and emotional", with co-star Riley, who plays Mark Edwards, revealing he'd shed a tear on the train up to Newcastle to film his final scenes.
Brenda Blethyn recently issued an update as they wrapped filming
ITV
As long-term fans await the new series, many have taken to their social media accounts and appealed to ITV bosses for them to commission a spin-off, putting forward a way for the show to continue.
One keen viewer wrote on X: "People are going to miss Vera so much. Now we need ITV to commission Young Vera. I'd love to see her early days on screen."
"Ooh genius idea!!" another agreed before someone else added: "Brilliant idea, that would be a very interesting programme to watch."
They even went as far as naming Maxine Peake to take on the lead role, with the actress making her name in the industry for her roles in Anne, Three Girls, Shameless, and Silk.
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Fans were devastated when the news of the series ending was announced
ITV
While little is yet known about the show's two final episodes, David Leon is expected to be back as DI Joe Ashworth, after he returned to the role for this year's season after last being seen in the series in 2014.
Despite filming wrapping on the series, ITV are still a way off from airing the two feature-length episodes, with a likely release date being around the end of 2024 or the beginning of 2025.
