Vera's Brenda Blethyn 'rules out' ITV spin-off after emotional exit from hit drama

Brenda Blethyn has publicly 'ruled out' a potential Vera spin-off with one of her most popular co-stars, after producers come under more pressure to continue the legacy of the hit drama, ahead of it coming to an end in just a few months time.

Thirteen years after millions of viewers got their first look at BAFTA winner Brenda in the role of no nonsense sleuth DCI Vera Stanhope, they are now bracing themselves to say a sad goodbye to,. not just her character, but also the show as whole, after it was confirmed by ITV earlier this year that Vera's 14th series will be its last.

Brenda and the rest of the Vera cast got back in front of camera over the summer to film the final two feature length episodes and last week, fans in London got to see a clip from the first one, with Brenda in action alongside Auf Wiedersehen, Pet legend Kevin Whately. The clip aired as part of a special Vera - End of an Era event at the British Film Institute and, given the already considerable demand for a Vera spin-off, the evening's host, Emma Kennedy, couldn't resist asking the question of one was on the cards.

READ MORE:Vera gets TV 'rival' as new detective drama announced before final series

READ MORE:Meet the Durham TikTok sensation who makes history fun for over 500,000 followers

However, rather than putting Brenda's returning on-screen sidekick David Leon in the frame to lead it, Emma suggested that, given the love/hate relationship their characters appear to have in the drama, if a spin-off involving Vera and colleague Kenny Lockhart could be a possibility.

Floating the idea that the two Northumberland & City Police veterans could retire and go off to open a B&B together in the country, Emma firstly asked Brenda if Kenny was actually in love with his superior, before asking if Brenda could see a spin-off starring her and actor Jon Morrison happening.

Laughing at the suggestion, Brenda who admitted she was 'tired and emotional' after filming her final scenes in Vera, replied: "I don't think he can stand her!" before clarifying that, while Vera and Kenny often rub each other up the wrong way in the show, she and John have a great relationship, adding that he was a great person to have on set,

During the interview, Brenda also confirmed her reason for leaving Vera, a decision she didn't make lightly, was that she hadn't had a summer with her family for 14 years, having always been up in the North East to film at the time of year, since taking on the lead role in 2011.