Brenda Blethyn has broken her silence to react to a huge cast shake-up on Vera, which will see two popular cast mem,be3rs bow out of the ITV drama as a former star makes an unexpected return.
After having to wait a year for new episodes, the last few months have been a hectic time for lovers of all things DCi Stanhope, with the airing of the two remaining episodes from series 11 and four feature length adventures from the 12th, the last of which - The Darkest Evening - left many Vera viewers worried for the show's title character as she fell to the floor as a gun shot was heard.
Following a tense wait to find out if she was alright as the drama cut to a well timed ad break, a collective sigh of relief was breathed as the no nonsense sleuth was back on her feet and ready to carry on with her investigations.
And the even better news for Vera fans is that Brenda's iconic on-screen alias will be back to get to the bottom of even more mysteries, with ITV announcing that series 13 is definitely happening.
READ MORE: David Leon's Vera comeback leaves Brenda Blethyn delighted after exit heartbreak
News on Vera's future arrived just over a week after Kenny Doughty, famous for playing Brenda's on-screen sidekick DS Aiden Healy, broke the news that he had left the role, leaving fans gutted and concerned for what that would mean for the fate of the show itself.
As well as Vera series 13 being confirmed, there was a bombshell for fans to digest, with the big reveal that Vera's original sidekick, Joe Ashworth, is being welcomed back into the fold, as actor David Leon makes a welcome return to the much loved drama.
News of David coming back was tinged with some sadness though, as it was announced that, like co-star Kenny, Ibinabo Jack won't be returning for series 13 ei8ther.
And Brenda has spoken out about the casting shake-up on Vera, saying: "It's been such a pleasure to work alongside Kenny and Ibinabo. They've both been terrific members of the Vera team, and I'll miss them.
"I'm absolutely over the moon to welcome David back to the show and can’t wait to get started.”
Before series 13 starts, Vera fans will get the bonus of another special episode, in the shape of The Rising Tide, which will feature Kenny and Ibinabo for a final time and was filmed at the end of last year.
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