‘Vera’ actress says another season is unlikely: ‘I think not’

Brenda Blethyn has cast doubt on a fourteenth season of Vera.

The long-running British crime drama returned last weekend for a thirteenth run, following the recent Christmas special.

Based on award-winning author Ann Cleeves‘s character, Vera has been a hit for ITV since it launched 12 years ago.

Sadly, star Brenda Blethyn reckons the current set of episodes could be the show’s last!

Discussing the likelihood of Vera being renewed for Season 14, she told The Mirror: “At the moment there’s nothing planned.”

The DCI Vera Stanhope actress hasn’t ruled out the possibility of more episodes, however, saying: “That’s not to say they’re not talking about it…”

But we could just get a final special to conclude the character’s story and give fans a proper ending: “There might be a winding up. I don’t know.”

Blethyn added: “Ann Cleeves is also writing her eleventh Vera book. So, there’s also that to consider.”

Another run of three or four episodes in 2025 seems unlikely, however.

“A whole series? I think not. We’ll see,” she said.

Season 13 is airing on Sunday nights on ITV1 at 8pm, in an unfortunate schedule clash with the new season of Call the Midwife over on BBC One.

American viewers will be able to watch the new episodes of Vera on BritBox later in the year.

In the meantime, you can catch up on every episode of Vera so far on BritBox for free with this 7-day trial!

This year’s three new feature-length Vera mysteries have brought back original cast member David Leon.

The actor played Joe Ashworth in the first four seasons of Vera until his character departed in 2014.

Interestingly, Leon seems much more up optimistic about the idea of another season than his co-star.

“Vera will continue for as long as the demand for it remains and Brenda feels like she can continue to surprise herself and be challenged by it,” he revealed.

Perhaps we could see a spin-off focusing passing the baton on to Joe Ashworth, like how Inspector Morse led to Lewis? Or even a series featuring a young Vera Stanhope, like Endeavour?

While Vera might be coming to an end, at least we know that several other popular British detective dramas definitely are returning to ITV in 2024, including Grace, The Bay and Unforgotten.

The first twelve seasons of Vera are available to watch on BritBox with a free 7-day trial.