Vera, one of ITV's most popular detective dramas of all time, is coming to an end with a bittersweet series 14 - Brenda Blethyn's last ever as DCI Stanhope.

The actress, 78, will make an "emotional return" for the 14th and final series of
ITV's long-running crime drama.

And her swan song episodes will air over the Christmas period. Here's everything we know so far about series 14 of Vera, including plot, cast, start date, and what's next for actress Brenda.

How many episodes is Vera series 14?

Series 14 of ITV detective drama Vera - the final ever - spans two feature-length episodes.

Each feature-length episode will be two hours long. Every series of Vera since it first started in 2011 has consisted of two hour-long episodes, although most series have been at least four instalments.

Is there a season 14 for Vera?

The two new stories are entitled Inside, and The Dark Wives. ITV tells us they "intertwine gripping murder mysteries with the heartfelt narrative of Vera's personal journey".

In the first episode, Inside, DCI Vera Stanhope is called to the banks of the Tyne where the body of a young man has been discovered by some anglers.

The synopsis reads " A tangled web of a broken relationship, secret love, grudges, regret, and fraud begins to emerge - has our former inmate been served cold justice, or does his death run deeper?"

What is the final episode of Vera?

The final episode, entitled The Dark Wives, brings Vera back to a familiar place when a body is found at the foot of legendary local stones The Dark Wives. 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.

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

Who's in the cast of Vera series 14?

Of course, beloved actress Brenda Blethyn portrays DCI Vera Stanhope in the cast of Vera series 14. She's played the role since 2011. Before that, she was probably best known for portraying Mrs. Bennet in the 2005 film Pride & Prejudice, Mari Hoff in 1998's Little Voice, and Grace in 2000's Saving Grace.

Actor David Leon reprises his role as DI Joe Ashworth. Fans will know he played the character between series 1 and 4 of Vera, before departing in 2014. He returned in 2024 to replace departing Kenny Doughty. Kenny starred as DS Aiden Healy since 2015.

Meanwhile, Dream Team's Jon Morrison returns as DC Kenny Lockhart, opposite Riley Jones as DC Mark Edwards, Sarah Kameela Impey as pathologist Dr Paula Bennett, and Rhiannon Clements as DC Steph
Duncan.

Guest stars for this final series include Unforgotten's Amanda Root, former Corrie star Shobna Gulati, Inspector Morse's Kevin Whately, Boiling Point's Cathy Tyson, and Casualty's Chelsea Halfpenny.

Other cast include Here We Go star Freya Parks, Graeme Hawley - aka Coronation Street villain John Stape - and The Bay's Olwen May. Casualty legend Derek Thompson, who played Charlie Fairhead for more than 30 years, also appears. Now THAT is a guest cast.

Why is Brenda Blethyn quitting Vera?

Series 14 is the last series of Vera. There will be no more episodes of Vera filmed after that.

In April 2024, Brenda Blethyn announced she was saying "cheerio" to her character Vera after series 14.

In a statement issued by Brenda and ITV, the actress revealed her intention to hang up Vera's infamous trench coat and hat after filming series 14 in the North East.

She 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 14 years."

She added: "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."

What is Brenda Blethyn doing now?

Kent-born Brenda may have left Vera for pastures new, and that does not include retiring.

Brenda Blethyn recently confirmed that she's already shot a new film. In a recent interview about Vera, she was asked if she was retiring from acting. She replied: "Oh no, I haven't retired. I've just come south!"

A week after filming the two feature-length final episodes of Vera over the summer, Brenda went on to shoot a new movie with Andrea Riseborough. The film, entitled The Nest, is expected to drop in 2025.

It's written and directed by A Confession's Paul Andrew Williams, and follows a woman who takes it upon herself to care for her elderly neighbour when she sees the lack of care she's receiving from so-called professionals. However, her intentions may not be what they seem...

How can I watch Vera series 14? When's the start date?

The final series of Vera will air on Wednesday, January 01, and Thursday, January 02, 2024 at 8pm on ITV1 and STV.

The accompanying factual documentary, Vera Farewell Pet, will air on Friday, January 03, at 9pm on ITV1 and STV.

Series 14 and the documentary, Vera Farewell Pet, will be available on ITVX and STV Player following their broadcast on ITV1 and STV. Series 1–13 are available to stream on ITVX.

The final series of Vera will air on Wednesday, January 01, and Thursday, January 02, 2024 at 8pm on ITV1 and STV.