Brenda Blethyn says 'cheerio' to TV drama Vera

Actress Brenda Blethyn has said she is going to leave ITV's long-running TV detective show Vera, after 14 series.

Blethyn, 78, will film her last scenes as the straight-talking detective chief inspector this summer. That will also mark the show's final season.

"Working on Vera has been a joy from beginning to end," she said.

"I'm sad to be saying cheerio. But I am so proud of our achievements over the last 14 years," she added, calling the cast and crew "fabulous".

"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."

The actress will film two 120-minute episodes for the 14th and last series.

The actress added she will 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 popular drama is based on the Vera Stanhope novels written by Cleeves, whose writing has also been adapted into TV shows Shetland and The Long Call.

Kate Bartlett, creative director of Silverprint Pictures, has been an executive producer on many of the series since the show began.

"It is the end of an era and has been an extraordinary journey over 14 amazing series of Vera," she said.

"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.

"We will all be very sad to say goodbye to Brenda and everyone involved in making the show."

Blethyn, also an acclaimed film and stage actress. and was Oscar-nominated for her role in 1996 comedy drama Secrets & Lies, for which she also won a Bafta and Golden Globe.

She was also Oscar-nominated in 1999 for the musical Little Voice, for which she also received a Bafta nomination.

The actress also received Bafta nominations for 2004 family drama Belonging and 2005 period drama Pride And Prejudice.