Vera fans stunned as last ever episode drops online hours before it airs on ITV – as Brenda Blethyn exits iconic role
VERA’s final ever episode has dropped online, hours before its ITV evening airing.
Today (January 2), viewers will see Brenda Blethyn play DCI Vera Stanhope one last time.
Although the finale airs on ITV at 8pm, eager fans are able to watch it early on ITVX.
One wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “Was delighted to find that new episode of #Vera was available online early so could watch and now time for #TheTraitors.”
A synopsis for the finale reads: “A missing girl and a student killed and dumped at the foot of three mythical monoliths set Vera on an investigation that triggers memories from her own childhood.”
It comes as the main characters faced a dramatic situation in the penultimate episode.
Viewers watched on as a tense cliffside showdown led to a shocking fall.
Vera had been called to the banks of the Tyne – where the body of a young man washed up.
A blow to the head indicated it wasn’t an accidental drowning – but this wasn’t the most intriguing detail.
The person in question, Zac Martin (Bryan Moriarty), had recently been released from prison after serving time for GBH.
Near the end of the episode, an epic showdown took place on the edge of a cliff as Vera confronted who she believed to be Zac’s murderer.
The title character faced Mr Lucas Corbridge (William Houston) and his daughter Amelia.
Lucas charged towards Vera with a rock in his hand – ready to strike a blow to her head.
In quick thinking, Joe Ashworth (David Leon) intervened and tackled Lucas to the ground.
While the pair fought, Amelia attempted to restrain her dad from fighting.
Things took a disastrous turn when she ended up falling over the head of the cliff and dying, leaving her dad in tears.
Meanwhile, Emmerdale fans spotted a familiar face among the episode’s cast.
Vera's cast over the last 14 years
Since its launch back in 2011 Vera has gripped ITV viewers with its crime stories - and dozens of actors have appeared in the show, including:
- Brenda Blethyn
- David Leon
- Jon Morrison
- Riley Jones
- Wunmi Mosaku
- Paul Ritter
- Cush Jumbo
- Sonya Cassidy
- Clare Calbraith
- Kingsley Ben-Adir
- Kenny Doughty
- Lisa Hammond
- Noof McEwan
- Christopher Colquhoun
- Steve Evets
- Ibinabo Jack
- Paul Kaye
- Sarah Kameela
- Rhiannon Clements
Chelsea Halfpenny – who previously played Amy Wyatt in Emmerdale – appeared in Vera as Kimberly Martin.
The now-32-year-old actress starred in the ITV soap from 2010 to 2013.
Before that, Chelsea‘s first professional job was in popular children’s drama Byker Grove.
Her aunt is Jill Halfpenny, who also starred in Byker Grove as Nicola Dobson.