ITV issues release update for Brenda Blethyn's final series of Vera - and it's soon

ITV has confirmed that Brenda Blethyn's acclaimed series Vera will be part of its festive programming, with the final season set to air before the end of the year.

The concluding season consists of two feature-length episodes, entitled Inside and The Dark Wives, which promise to intertwine Vera's personal story with complex murder investigations.

Shot across the scenic North East, the last instalment sees the return of familiar faces including David Leon as DI Joe Ashworth, Jon Morrison as DC Kenny Lockhart, Riley Jones as DC Mark Edwards, Sarah Kameela Impey as Dr Paula Bennett, and Rhiannon Clements as DC Steph Duncan.

These episodes are highlighted in the Christmas 2024 brochure, indicating that fans won't have to wait long for Vera's comeback on their screens.

Here's what we know about the two episodes as Brenda Blethyn gears up for her final bow as the iconic detective, reports Chronicle Live.

Inside, the first episode, brings Vera Stanhope to the Tyne's edge where fishermen have stumbled upon a young man's corpse.

A web of a broken relationship, clandestine romance, longstanding grudges, remorse, and deceit obstructs the path to uncovering the truth behind his demise.

The synopsis questions: "Has our former inmate been served cold justice, or does his death run deeper?".

In The Dark Wives, the last episode, Vera revisits "a familiar place" only to find a body at the base of some storied local monoliths.

The synopsis reveals: "With memories of childhood in the background, Vera must work hard to uncover the mystery of why a bright young student would be violently attacked and left so far from home."

"This poignant episode weaves together past and present and makes for a compelling and emotional farewell."

Brenda Blethyn, who has graced our screens as the iconic Vera for 14 seasons, announced in April that she would be leaving the show, stating it was time to hang up Vera's hat.

On her departure, Brenda expressed: "Working on Vera has been a joy from beginning to end."

"I'm sad to be saying cheerio. But I am so proud of our achievements over the last 14 years."

"I'm going to miss [the cast and crew], 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."