Vera season 14: release date, cast, plot, final-ever two eps

Vera season 14 is filming in spring 2024 for ITV for its new 2025 series. (Image credit: ITV)

Vera season 14 is filming in spring 2024 but ITV has announced this series will be final-ever outing for Brenda Blethyn's hit crime drama. Brenda explains why she is hanging up Vera's famous trench coat and hat.

“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 fourteen 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.”

Filming has come hot on the heels of the three-part Vera season 13 which finished on ITV1 in January 2024. The new series was announced directly after the final episode of Vera series 13 on Sunday January 21, 2024. This time Vera will be just two episodes of standalone cases with Brenda Blethyn once again playing the titular detective Vera Stanhope, who operates in north east England. No other casting has been confirmed.

We once asked Brenda how long she envisaged playing the character, she told us: "That’s always a hard one. If no one else wants to do it then I’m up a gum tree aren’t I! But I still love playing her. I love the character and in the novels, she never dies. Ann Cleeves is still writing them and Vera's there forever in the books so I’m happy carrying on!"

Series 13 finished with Vera, Steph and Joe working on a case that saw the murder of a chip shop owner. Here's everything you need to know so far on Vera season 14...

The gang are back for the Vera season 14 read-through. (Image credit: ITV)

Brenda Blethyn enjoying herself behind the scenes before filming Vera season 14. (Image credit: ITV)

Vera season 14 release date

Vera season 14, which are the final-ever two episodes. will be shown on Wednesday January 1 2025 at 8pm (New Year's Day) then Thursday January 2 at 8pm on ITV1, STV and ITVX. The accompanying factual documentary, Vera farewell pet, will air on Friday January 3, at 9pm on ITV1 and STV and ITVX too.

* All previous 13 series of Vera are currently available for streaming on ITVX in the UK and on BritBox in the US.

Vera season 14 plot and cases

The case and plot details for Vera season 14 are still very much under wraps so we'll have to update later in the year when we hear more.

Vera season 14 cast

Vera season 14 will again be led by Brenda Blethyn as DCI Vera Stanhope. David Leon is returning as Joe Ashworth as well as Rhiannon Clements as detective Steph Duncan. We do expect plenty of guest star apperances in both episodes. Check back here for updates.

Vera's in a hurry in The Rising Tide. — Vera's in a hurry! (Image credit: ITV)

David Leon as Joe Ashworth. — Could David Leon be back as Joe Ashworth. (Image credit: ITV)

Rhiannon Clements as DC Steph Duncan. — Will Rhiannon Clements return as DC Steph Duncan? (Image credit: ITV)

Is there a trailer for Vera season 14?

It's a bit too early for a trailer. If one lands later down the line then we'll post it here.

Behind the scenes and more on Vera season 14

Will Nicholson (Vera, Trust Me, Wire in the Blood) has produced and executive produced 42 episodes of Vera since 2013 and now returns to produce these final two episodes for Vera season 14. Vera is produced in association with ITV Studios, which will handle global distribution. Silverprint Pictures is an ITV Studios company. Vera continues to be one of the bestselling dramas across Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

Silverprint Pictures Creative Director Kate Bartlett (Shetland, Vera, Flesh and Blood, The Long Call) has executive produced many of the series since its inception. ITV have commissioned 54 episodes to date before recently confirming a further 2 x 120 minute films which will be the drama’s 14th and final series.

Kate Bartlett says: “It is the end of an era and has been an extraordinary journey over fourteen amazing series of Vera. So many wonderful and talented people have been involved in the making of Vera across all the series, but none of us would be here without two incredible women: firstly, the absolutely extraordinary talent of the inimitable Brenda Blethyn. She is brilliant as DCI Vera Stanhope, a truly iconic character of our times. And - of course - the amazing Ann Cleeves, author of the original novels and creator of DCI Vera Stanhope. We will all be very sad to say goodbye to Brenda and everyone involved in making the show.”