Vera's Brenda Blethyn back on set with ITV co-stars as hit drama confirmed to end

Brenda Blethyn and her Vera co-stars were reunited on set on Monday, on the same day it was announced the hit drama is ending after 14 series.

Die hard fans were absolutely gutted as ITV broke the news that the much loved show will wrap up in 2025, some 14 years after Brenda and Vera colleagues appeared on TV in the pilot episode, which has since gathered more attention thanks to Brit winner Sam Fender's cameo as a murdered teenager.

That episode - Hidden Depths - was repeated on ITV3 last week, as the clock was turned right back to day one of Vera's long running tenure as one of British television's biggest crime dramas. And now, there will be just two more chances for fans to get a look at Brenda and the rest of the Vera cast in action, now it's been announced that she is hanging up her character's famous fishing hat as the show comes to an end.

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

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Vera's fate being sealed came as a bitter pill for fans to swallow, after they have followed Ann Cleeves' iconic sleuth for over a decade and have been instantly hooked on each new history. But, before they farewell to one of the nation's favourite detectives, she will be back on the beat early next year.

And work on those final instalments is now underway. While filming is set to commence on April 29, the Vera cast joined together on Monday for a first group read through of the scripts. BAFTA winner Brenda was snapped alongside stars like Riley Jones and David Leon, who made a shock return to the fold last series as Joe Ashworth.

As Vera's end was confirmed, Brenda released an emotional statement, in which she said she was 'sad' to say goodbye to her world famous on-screen alias, adding: "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.”