Brenda Blethyn has announced that she will leave the long-running UK detective show Vera after more than a decade.
The 78-year-old Pride And Prejudice actress will return for a 14th and final series as the unorthodox trench coat wearing Detective Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope.
The Secrets And Lies actress said: "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 14 years.
"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."
The Saving Grace actress will film her last season this summer, which will bring more stories of murder mysteries from the North East of England in the form of two 120 minute episodes.
The Little Voice actress won the Rose d’Or Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021 for Vera and has starred in the series since 2011.
The drama is based on the Vera Stanhope novels written by Ann Cleeves, whose works have also been adapted into the TV shows Shetland and The Long Call.
Blethyn is also known for her critically acclaimed film work, earning an Oscar nomination for her role in Secrets & Lies and picking up a Bafta and Golden Globe for the 1996 comedy drama.
She was given best supporting actress nods by the Academy Awards and Bafta for the musical Little Voice.
Blethyn has also earned Bafta nominations for 2004 family drama Belonging and 2005 period drama Pride And Prejudice.
Source:PA
