VERA FACING UNCERTAIN FUTURE ON ITV, REVEALS STAR

The future of Vera on ITV is uncertain, its star Brenda Blethyn has revealed. Though she didn't rule out returning for more specials, she admitted a whole series is unlikely.

Brenda Blethyn said (via The Sun): "At the moment there is nothing planned. But that’s not to say they’re not talking about it. There might be a winding up. I don’t know. Ann Cleeves is also writing her 11th Vera book, so, there’s also that to consider. But a whole series? I think not. We’ll see."

This weekend, starring the internationally acclaimed and award-winning actress Brenda Blethyn as DCI Vera Stanhope, this new series sees the return of actor and director David Leon as Joe Ashworth.

Joining Brenda and David for the three new feature-length episodes are Jon Morrison as DC Kenny Lockhart, Riley Jones as DC Mark Edwards, Sarah Kameela Impey as pathologist Dr Paula Bennett, and Rhiannon Clements (Ridley, Hollyoaks) as new and ambitious DC Steph Duncan who joins Vera’s team.

In the opening episode, DCI Vera Stanhope investigates the suspicious death of a market trader and reveals a web of secrets, lies and betrayal while an enigmatic figure from her past returns.

The three self-contained crime stories in the new series draw inspiration from the best-selling novels and characters created by acclaimed crime writer Ann Cleeves.

Vera returns Sunday 7th January at 8pm on ITV1.