Vera's ITV 'replacement' concerns raised as viewers upset over end of an era

The news that Vera will come to an end next year has proved to be a bitter pill for fans to swallow, with them left mourning the 'end of an era' as a question mark also hangs over Midsomer Murders' future, with the drama 'vanishing' from schedules after just one episode of its new series.

Having had millions of viewers on tenterhooks for over a decade, it was announced on Monday that Vera will wrap up in 2025, with just two more chances left for fans to get a look at Brenda Blethyn in her iconic role of DCI Stanhope. ITV confirmed that Vera would be back next year as series 13 concluded at the end of January, but, at that point, even after some speculation over its future, fans had no clue that upcoming feature length tales would be the last to air.

Following in the footsteps of popular Sunday night hits from the last few decades like Heartbeat, Where The Heart Is and Wild at Heart, Vera carved its home in the 8-10pm slot, which looked set to fall back into the hands of Midsomer Murders, as it returned to ITV for its 25th series earlier this month.

READ MORE: ITV Vera to end after 14 series as Brenda Blethyn confirms exit as famous detective

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However, despite the excitement around its comeback, the long running programme has now been 'shelved' by ITV bosses, with no word on when the remaining three episodes will air, after Britain's Got Talent and Red Eye aired in its place at the weekend.

And, the uncertainty of Midsomer Murders' future, coupled with the sad news about Vera, has some people concerned that the era of the ITV Sunday night inoffensive could be coming an end. Raising that point on X in the aftermath of the Vera announcement, one viewer wrote: "The end of #Vera means that leisurely 2-hour ITV whodunnits are now few and far between. Once the template laid down by Morse that all others followed, it's now an increasing rarity. Only Midsomer Murders and Grace left?"

Equally gutted, another reacted: "Bad writers have ruined Midsomer Murders. Vera was the only decent detective show left." as a third responded: "The Sunday night ITV two hour murder mysteries are my favourite - something needs to fill the gap of Endeavour, Lewis, Poirot, Marple and now Vera"