The next episode of Vera looks set to be an emotional one for the cast and fans alike, as not one, but two stars, will bow out at the same time.
There was some exciting news for fans of the long-running ITV drama on Thursday when channel bosses confirmed that, after some question marks over its future, it will be back for series 13, which is set to go into production soon. So far this year, die hard Vera viewers have got to see six new episodes of their favourite Sunday night favourite: the 'missing' parts from series 11, that they'd been waiting a year to see and then four feature length episodes from series 12.
Things hurtled to a dramatic conclusion in series finale The Darkest Evening, with fans even concerned that Vera could be a goner, as she fell to the floor as gun shots were heard. Thankfully, DCI Stanhope was fine and lived to solve another case.
READ MORE: David Leon's Vera comeback leaves Brenda Blethyn delighted after exit heartbreak
And the first of those will see her back in sleuthing action in The Rising Tide, which was filmed in the run up to Christmas, as the cast were seen in fans in Durham, Corbridge and on Holy Island. The episode is the screen adaptation of Ann Cleeves' latest hit book of the same name and is set to air later this year.
Those who have read the book can't wait to see how it plays out on TV, but the episode will be tinged with sadness, as it will be the last appearances for both Kenny Doughty and Ibinabo Jack. Kenny's exit from Vera was announced last week, with the actor himself taking to Instagram to reveal that he was 'handing in DS Healy's badge' after eight years on the show.
Fans knew nothing of Ibinabo's departure from her role as Jac until Thursday, when it was confirmed that The Rising Tide would also be her final episode, with her leaving to focus on theatre commitments.
The pair's exits come as fans were left very excited by the news that Vera's original sidekick, Joe Ashworth will be making a shock comeback as actor David Leon re-joins the cast.
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