ITV Vera's Brenda Blethyn hints at heartbreaking ending for detective in final series

Vera star Brenda Blethyn has been speaking out about the end of the ITV drama amid fears that Vera might die

Brenda Blethyn, the star of ITV's Vera, has finally dropped some hints about the fate of her character in the last episodes.

Amidst widespread speculation about whether DI Vera Stanhope will make it through as the show concludes, Brenda has teased the outcome for the beloved detective as the series comes to a close after 14 seasons. Fans are reeling from the news that the show is ending - but the big question remains: Will Vera find her happy ending?

During a special BFI event in London celebrating the conclusion of the series, Brenda was probed about Vera's survival. She said: "No comment. I'm not going to tell you."

Yet, she did give a heads-up that there's stormy weather ahead for Vera and Joe's relationship, reports Chronicle Live.

Addressing the crowd, she revealed: "I will tell you there's trouble with Detective Inspector Joe Ashworth. Joe has something going on that he doesn't want to talk about and Vera is anxious to get to the bottom of that."

"We know he came back to the area because his father was ill. He passed away we've already seen that. Joe doesn't seem to have come out of that dungeon and Vera's concerned about that."

But there's more - Vera receives an enticing offer from her boss. Brenda hinted at a crossroads for Vera, saying: "Vera's superior, the Chief Inspector, wants to promote her, and so it's a big decision for Vera to make."

Brenda also admitted that she had been considering giving up acting until the role of Vera was offered to her.

"I was thinking about retiring at the time. I wasn't familiar with Ann's work at the time, so I bought The Crow Trap, which introduces the character. I was halfway through it and this character's not mentioned. I thought it must be a little cameo part," she said.

"But then it came to a bit where the door of the church opened and in lumbered this great lummox of a woman, looking like a bag lady, and that was Vera Stanhope. I thought, 'Why have they thought of me?' Then I read on and I absolutely loved the character."

*Vera will air its final series in early 2025.