“IT was very appropriate that the last day of filming was scheduled to take place in the police incident room where so much of the drama has happened. 

“I think our producer Will Nicholson contrived that. Incidentally that is not where the final scene of the episode takes place. 

“You could hear a pin drop when we were filming. Then when I heard, ‘That’s a wrap.’ I was emotional. As, indeed, Vera would have been.”

Brenda Blethyn talking to me about the last ever episode of Vera. 

She continued:

“There were a lot of people behind the cameras and at the end I thanked everybody. I said, ‘We’re all as important as one another.’ 

“I might be the one playing the title character but it’s only an ingredient in a great big pot. And all of the ingredients are necessary. Everyone contributes to it. And it’s the sum of all of those parts that made Vera a success.

“And Vera will, of course continue to crack crime in Ann Cleeves’ books – and there will be 56 episodes available to watch on TV repeats.”

The final two Vera films – Inside and The Dark Wives – will be screened on ITV at 8pm on New Year’s Day and at the same time the next day, Thursday January 2nd.

With the documentary Vera, Farewell Pet following on at 9pm on Friday January 3rd.

The two concluding episodes are a very fitting finale to the Vera universe.

The Dark Wives being an adaptation of Ann Cleeves’ 11th and latest Vera novel which was only published in August.

I read the script for the farewell film back in October and it has been beautifully realised for the screen by Brenda and the entire Vera team.

While you may find something in your eye at the end.

Of course it is sad to say goodbye.

But no-one would have blamed Brenda had she taken her decision to leave Vera behind years before she did.

Due to celebrate her 79th birthday in February, she has been the lead in 56 feature length Vera films, working very long hours away from home across the many months each year it takes to film a series.

A magnificent achievement.

You can read my series 14 interviews with both Brenda and Vera producer Will Nicholson at the below link.

Also scroll down for more production photos from these last two episodes. Click / tap on any image in the gallery to open in full.

Noting that Ann Cleeves has been reported as saying: . “I’ll write at least one more book. I do know how it’s going to end on the show. I want to wrap it up in the books as well.”

Footnote: A few years ago I made a decision that I kept to myself: That I would retire from my work for ITV when Brenda Blethyn stepped down from her role as DCI Vera Stanhope. Not least because I am so busy with other projects. She kept me waiting a little while. But it was a very happy coincidence that my last ever ITV interview turned out to be with Brenda. I first spoke to her over 30 years ago ahead of the screen launch of Outside Edge, in which she played Miriam ‘Mim’ Dervish. Then having the pleasure of interviewing Brenda countless times ever since. Always a joy and a privilege. As has been all of my work for ITV over the years. 

With huge thanks to everyone who has read this blog since it began in 2006. I have been a working journalist for almost 50 years now and, rest assured, will not be stepping away from the keyboard just yet.