Vera has now been on screen for 12 years, meaning that a growing number of stars have now been in its cast. And, while the likes of leading lady Brenda Blethyn are still going strong, others have flown the nest, including one who' going to be in one of the biggest films of this year.
Since arriving on ITV in 2011, Vera has cemented itself as one of the nation's favourite dramas, with BAFTA and Golden Globe winner Brenda leading the ranks as no nonsense sleuth DCI Stanhope. There have now been 12 series of Vera in the can, with a 13th announced at the end of last month, much to the delight of the show's loyal fans.
While there was widespread excitement about Vera coming back, the announcement of its return was tinged with some sadness, with the news that stars Kenny Doughty and Ibinabo Jack would be playing part in it; having both decided to walk away from the Sunday night drama.
READ MORE: Vera star Kenny Doughty's famous girlfriend lands role in another Ann Cleeves drama
Their departures aren't the first exits to rock Vera and, here, we look at what happened to some of the show's stars who've walked away, one of whom is making a shock comeback.
What happened to Vera stars who left the show?
David Leon - DS Joe Ashworth
We'll start with the actor who is returning to Vera, to reprise his role as Joe Ashworth; eight years after leaving leading lady Brenda 'heartbroken' with his exit.
After appearing in shows like BBC drama Cutting It, David became Vera's original sidekick, with millions of ITV viewers loving the camaraderie between him and Brenda.
It came as a massive surprise to Brenda and Vera fans when David left the show after series four. His character Joe wasn't even given a proper exit on screen, with his absence being explained by DCI Stanhope, as she briefly mentioned that he'd moved sway after getting a 'big promotion.'
After leaving Vera, David carved out a successful career as a film director, winning a coveted Tribeca film award for Best narrative short for Man and Boy.
David also worked on Orthodox and North East set two parter Stable and Hyem, as well as being in the directing team for smash hit drama Killing Eve.
Kingsley Ben-Adir - Dr Marcus Sumner
Kingsley played pathologist Dr Marcus from series 4-6, before coming back a few years later. Since flying the nest from the show, has gone onto star in Oscar nominated movie One Night in Miami and will now play a Ken Doll in Barbie the much publicised Greta Gerwig film that will be released in the summer.
Kinsley will star alongside leads Ryan Gosling and Margot Robbie in the movie inspired by the iconic doll, with other famous faces in the cast list including Will Ferrell, Ugly Betty actress America Ferrera and New Rules singer Dua Lipa, who will play another version of Barbie.
A role in Barbie isn't the only big part film fans will see Kingsley play in the near future, as he is also playing the lead role in a biopic of music legend Bob Marley; with him being snapped on set alongside co-stars like Happy Valley's James Norton.
Cush Jumbo - DC Bethany Whelan
After appearing in series two and five as Bethany, Cush's one episode of Vera's sixth series proved to be her last, as Bethany was killed off.
Since her tragic exit from Vera, Cush went onto be a regular cast member in the 2015–2016 season of world famous CBS series The Good Wife, also going onto star in its spin-off, The Good Fight.
Last year, she received an Olivier nomination for her star turn on stage in Hamlet.
Sonya Cassidy - Celine Ashworth
Sonya left Vera at the same time as David Leon, having played DS Ashworth's wife Celine.
After her 'off screen exit,' from the ITV drama, Sonya went onto star in a remake of The Man Who Fell To Earth and will soon return to the primetime schedule in ITV's new true crime drama - The Hunt for Raoul Moat.
Sonya will play fictional Chronicle journalist, Diana Barnwell, the first journalist in the scene after Moat's shootings, before she bids to deliver up to the minute reporting on the massive manhunt for the killer.
Clare Calbraith - DS Rebecca Shephard
Clare's character DS Rebecca 'Shep' Shephard, was part of DCI Stanhope's team in series three and four; before being replaced by Bethany as Cush returned to Vera.
After she left Vera, Clare went onto feature in some massive ITV dramas like Unforgotten, Downton Abbey, Grace and Baptiste.
Paul Kaye - Dr Malcolm Donahue
Vera fans were left gutted at the start of series 12, when Paul's character, Dr Malcolm, bowed out after a final bit of vicious banter with DCI Stanhope.
Paul's exit from the show was confirmed by Brenda Blethyn before Vera's return at the start of 2023, with both her and co-star Riley Jones saying how sad they were to see him go.
Paul has since been confirmed to star in Olivier Award winning play The Pillowman, alongside Lily Allen and Benidorm and League of Gentlemen star Steve Pemberton.
The Pillowman will launch at the Duke of York theatre in London's West End in June, with Smile and The Fear singer Lily playing a writer in a police state who is interrogated about the content of her short stories and their similarities to several murders occurring in the town.
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