Vera's final series start date 'confirmed' as ITV drama comes to an end

Fans don't ever want the day to come, but a huge hint has now been given on just when the hit drama will come to an end, after 14 years of having millions hooked. And the good news for impatient viewers is that they won't have to wait long.

Based on North East crime writer Ann Cleeves' DCI Stanhope novels, Vera made its debut on ITV in 2011, seeing BAFTA winner Brenda Blethyn take on the lead role; a part that would soon cement her as one of TV's best loved detectives. After pilot Hidden Depths, featuring a young Sam Fender as corpse in a bath tub, drew a huge audience, more episodes were swiftly commissioned and the much loved show has now accumulated 13 series, each proving to be a real ratings winner.

Over the last decade, Vera has seen its appeal spread worldwide, earning itself devoted fans as far afield as Australia and Japan, meaning that there was a lot of upset when it was announced by ITV execs that its upcoming 14th series will be its last. Brenda and her co-stars, including returning sidekick David Leon, got back in front of camera one final time to shoot the two new feature length episodes over the summer.

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Production took the Vera cast and crew all over the North East, to the likes of Blyth, Hartlepool, Gateshead and South Shields and some lucky fans were given a sneak peek at what to expect from series 14 and a special event in London earlier this week. Held at the world famous British Film Institute, the screening and Q&A, aptly named Vera - End of an Era - saw Brenda joined on stage by Ann as they and their captive audience got to enjoy a series of clips from the show.

And one of those was a few minutes from the opening episode of series 14, where Brenda was seen on screen with guest star Kevin Whately. While the last ever episode of Vera is still very much under wraps, with its main star being very secretive about how it all ends, the evening's host, Emma Kennedy, signed off by giving a huge clue as to when we can expect it to air on ITV.

As Brenda and Ann left the stage, Emma told fans in the auditorium: "And you can watch the final ever episodes of Vera in the new year," with her hint arriving after it was confirmed last month that Vera would be part of the broadcaster's festive schedule.