Vera fans were left in disbelief back in April as it was announced the much-loved ITV drama would be concluding after two final episodes have aired.
It seems the very last instalments are being filmed now, with the cast of the detective show, including leading lady Brenda Belthyn, making preparations to “take over” a Northumberland village to film the final scenes of the long-running crime drama.
According to a letter sent to locals in the area, a road closure has been confirmed and many residents have been issued a demand to relocate vehicles as filming is underway.
Set to broadcast in early 2025, the final two episodes will be filmed in Cambois, Northumberland, with Blethyn, 78, and co-star David Leon, 43, seen just a week following the announcement of the show’s end.
The cast has also since been spotted in Gateshead, Blyth, South Shields and Hartlepool.
Glanton residents reportedly received notice on Thursday about filming plans in the area.
Blethyn decided to step down from her role as the protagonist detective in the ITV series
ITV
The letter, which has been shared on social media, informs locals that the crew will be in the village on June 25 as well as July 5.
The letter also details how the local pub in the area, The Queens Head, will be a prominent aspect of the show.
It comes following the shock statement made at the end of April in which fans of the show were informed the series would be coming to an end after Blethyn decided to quit her role as Vera Stanhope after 14 series.
The Emmy-nominated actress took on the role back in 2011 and on April 22, issued an emotional statement announcing her decision to leave.
The cast of the show are set to descend on a Northumberland town, where a local pub will feature prominently in the series
Getty
She stated: “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.”
Creative director of the show, Kate Bartlett commented: “It is the end of an era and has been an extraordinary journey over fourteen amazing series of Vera.”
Blethyn has starred as Vera Stanhope since 2011
ITV
She continued: “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.”