Vera’s Brenda Blethyn address spin-off rumours as she takes aim at rival dramas

BRENDA Blethyn has addressed a potential Vera spin-off ahead of her final ever episodes this January.

The Bafta-winning actress has quit the long-running ITV drama after 14 years playing legendary DI Vera Stanhope.

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Over the course of two movie-length episodes fans will see Vera bow out of her role.

But despite appetite and rumours of a spin-off series, Brenda is firmly closing the door on the character.

Speaking to The Sun about any potential prequel, the 78-year-old said: “Not that I’m aware of. No, I’ve not heard any.

“People sometimes say is there going to be a prequel? Personally, I don’t think they ever work.

“That’s not to say I don’t like Endeavour. I do, and I love Morse, and I loved Endeavour, but I saw no connection between the two. It was just an excuse to make a… a period set piece, which I liked, but it had nothing to do with Morse as far as I could tell.”

She added: “Same with Jane Tennison. They did a prequel that didn’t work at all.”

Brenda previously told The Sun she decided to hang up her hat and mac to spend time with her family.

She explained: “As much as I loved all that, I’ve got a family at home and I realised I hadn’t had a summer for 14 years with my family.

“So I still did another series because I couldn’t drag myself away.

“But anyway it was time, that’s all.”

Brenda’s final episodes will air on January 1 and 2 at 8pm, with a factual special, Vera: Farewell Pet to follow on January 3 at 9pm.

All three episodes will air on ITV1 and later, streaming service ITVX.