Brenda Blethyn has spoken out to thank Vera fans, after many of them feared her famous character had met her maker during Sunday's episode.
Last weekend was a memorable one for leading lady Brenda; not only did the ITV show air a dramatic series finale, but she also celebrated her 77th birthday.
After pulling in a big audience to ITV every Sunday night for the last six weeks as it returned to its famous 8pm slot, Vera bowed out of its current series in style with The Darkest Evening, one of the most intense episodes of Vera so far. The two hour story saw Brenda's not to be messed with DCI Stanhope caught up in a violent storm and finding a baby abandoned in a car.
READ MORE: Brenda Blethyn confirms Vera return for 'special' episode that's already been filmed
Things took a darker turn when the baby's mother's dead body was found and Vera was forced to confront her past and her family. And, while she has sprung into action to get to the bottom of any amount of murders over the years, concerned viewers thought that she could actually be the latest victim, as a gun shot was heard and she fell to the ground, with blood pouring from her head,
Shocked viewers rushed to Twitter in panic mode as the show cut to an ad break, with one posting: "Oh Vera's dead !!!..." and another, equally startled, reacting: "F**k me Vera’s dead."
A third tweeted: "Surely she can't be dead????" and the answer was that no, thankfully she wasn't dead; which anyone who had already read Ann Cleeves' Darkest Evening novel would know.
Fans who weren't able to watch the series finale in real time hit out at other viewers for the 'spoilers' as another joked: "Take a bit more than that to kill her off."
Sunday's episode of Vera got a huge reaction online and that didn't go unnoticed by Brenda, who took to Twitter on Monday evening to post: "sincere thanks for all the lovely birthday wishes and for the very welcome comments about VERA series 12. So glad you enjoyed it."
Prior to The Darkest Evening airing on ITV, BAFTA and Golden Globe winner Brenda had already confirmed that another episode of Vera had already been filmed, with The Rising Tide set to air later this year.
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