Vera ITV final series filming to commence 'in days' as Brenda Blethyn issues update

While fans are still gutted to learn that Vera will come to an end next year, after 14 years on screen, there could be a chance for them to see some of the cast in action over the coming weeks as lead star Brenda Blethyn has revealed that filming will start in a matter of days.

There was shock amongst viewers of the hit ITV drama this week when it wad announced that the forthcoming 14th series will in fact be the last, as BAFTA winner Brenda dons her character's now iconic fishing hat for a last time. It was Brenda who spoke out on Vera's future, in a statement issued by ITV, which read: "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.

Brenda continued: "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.”

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And now, after some major hints being dropped on when Vera series 14 filming will commence, by both her and casting calls for extras online, it was Brenda who revealed to fans that cameras will get rolling again next week. Taking to social media for the first time since news broke on Vera ending, she wrote: "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."

Over the last month a number of call outs for Vera extras have been shared on social media, with young actors scouted, as well as applicants to become the PCs of Northumberland & City Police. Filming for series 13 last year took the cast all over the North East and as far down as Yorkshire, with the drama filming everyone from North Shields to Redcar and Gateshead's Central pub to Bedale Railway.