Vera star issues exciting update on future of Brenda Blethyn series after ITV axe
Brenda Blethyn played the iconic ITV detective DCI Vera Stanhope for 14 seasons before announcing her decision to hang up her character's famous mack and hat.
Vera actor Ibinabo Jack floats prequel idea to iconic BBC drama
Award-winning actress Brenda Blethyn is bowing out of Vera after two special episodes which will air next year on ITV, but talks of a prequel to the hit crime drama are circulating.
Vera's future was discussed on Tuesday's instalment of BBC Breakfast, with the show's actress Ibinabo Jack, who plays DC Jacqueline Williams, appearing on the flagship news programme live from Australia.
Graeme Thompson, the chair of The Royal Television Society, was also part of the interview to reflect on the success of Vera.
Ibinabo described leading lady Brenda as a "formidable actress" and admitted with sadness that she could not believe the show was "coming to an end".
BBC Breakfast presenter Jon Kay asked if Vera would end if Brenda wasn't part of the series anymore, to which Ibinabo replied: "Brenda is Vera so yeah, for me, unless they did a prequel, like early days..."
Jon and his co-star Sally Nugent both seemed excited by the suggestion of a prequel.
Could a prequel series about Vera's early life be created in the future by ITV or another channel? Vera has a huge fanbase who are bound to miss seeing DCI Stanhope solving cases on their screens.
Jon, who was pondering over the exciting notion, added: "Maybe some sort of regeneration, possibly? I don't know."
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Meanwhile, Sally exclaimed: "A prequel is a fabulous idea. That's what we need to know - more of Vera's backstory. It's a genius idea!"
Later on in the interview, Graeme highlighted how Vera has been a "springboard" for lots of actors and directors since it landed on screens in 2010.
He added: "It's interesting that David Leon, who is one of the main characters in Vera, came back to the show after he left and he directed an episode.
"It has been a fantastic opportunity for talent in the northeast of England to show what they can do and that's actors as well as tech talent."
He also said the series has "boosted tourism" in the northeast of England, with many people visiting set locations in Newcastle, Northumberland and Sunderland.
Reflecting on Brenda, he added: "She is literally in every scene, and these are two-hour movies. There will be 53 episodes of Vera by the time the last two episodes come out next year.
"Brenda is in every shot and that is effectively 53 full-length movies she has starred in and been the focus of."
Vera episodes are available to watch on ITVX, while BBC Breakfast airs daily on BBC One from 6am.
