Vera’s finale sees Casualty legend and Coronation Street villain make cameos as Brenda Blethyn hangs up anorak and hat
THE final ever episode of Vera saw a Casualty legend and Coronation Street villain make cameo appearances.
Brenda Blethyn has officially bowed out of the role as DCI Vera Stanhope after 14 series.
But while fans watched as the character decided to hang up her mac and coat, their attention was drawn elsewhere.
During the 90-minute finale Derek Thompson returned to TV for a cameo, as he and his wife were left concerned for their troublesome granddaughter Chloe.
The 76-year-old is best known for his role as Charlie Fairhead in BBC hospital drama Casualty, which he played for 38 years.
Elsewhere, Graeme Hawley‘s character Will was given a grilling by Vera under caution after a dead body appeared.
Graeme, 51, is best known for playing sinister John Stape in Coronation Street.
He portrayed the twisted school teacher until his death in 2011, after four years on the cobbles.
Meanwhile, near the end of the episode, Vera seemingly left her long-time team behind for good.
She visited Chief Superintendent Khalon (Shobna Gulati), who had offered her a promotion.
Spotting an envelope in Vera’s hands, Chief Superintendent Khalon remarked: “Could this finally be your formal acceptance of your promotion?”
Vera replied: “Well, it’s more about making way, m’am.
“And letting others fly.”
This referenced her earlier remark to Joe Ashworth (David Leon) about him “spreading his wings”.
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