Vera is set to conclude at the beginning of next year, with two final episodes confirmed.
The long-running show - which stars Brenda Blethyn as DI Vera Stanhope - will wrap up after more than a decade on air, leaving just two more instalments before it bids farewell for good. Details about the concluding episodes remain mostly under wraps.
The plot summary for the last two episodes reveals: "In the first episode, DCI Vera Stanhope is called to the banks of the Tyne where the body of a young man has been discovered by some anglers. A tangled web of a broken relationship, secret love, grudges, regret, and fraud begins to emerge has our former inmate been served cold justice, or does his death run deeper?
"The final episode brings Vera back to a familiar place when a body is found at the foot of legendary local stones The Dark Wives with memories of childhood in the background, Vera must work hard to uncover the mystery of why a bright young student would be violently attacked and left so far from home."
Here are all the hints that Vera could meet her grisly end as the final series gets a confirmed air date:
Poor health
Vera's struggle with poor health over the years is well-documented. Often, we see her professional and personal lives intersecting, as she attends doctor's appointments and relies on her colleagues, Joe or Aidan, for transportation.
Vera's wellbeing has been a topic of conversation for quite some time, with her angina diagnosis causing concern. Angina, a condition leading to chest pain due to physical exertion or stress, while manageable with treatment and lifestyle changes, hints at an underlying coronary artery disease. Fans are left questioning - could this be a foreshadowing of an unexpected demise for Vera?
Trouble with Joe
The plot thickens around DI Joe Ashworth, as Brenda revealed there's trouble brewing for her colleague.
She disclosed: "I will tell you there's trouble with Detective Inspector Joe Ashworth. Joe has something going on that he doesn't want to talk about and Vera is anxious to get to the bottom of that. We know he came back to the area because his father was ill. He passed away which we've already seen. Joe doesn't seem to have come out of that dungeon and Vera's concerned about that."
This personal turmoil could spell disaster for Vera could it lead to her untimely end?
Brenda's own words
As whispers swirl regarding Vera's fate, Brenda has consistently sidestepped the rumours, remaining tight-lipped about whether death lies in wait for her alter ego. Brenda tactfully responded: "No comment," before firmly declaring, "I'm not going to tell you."
Brenda recently confirmed her withdrawal from the show, sharing: "Working on Vera has been a joy from beginning to end and I'm sad to be saying Cheerio. But I am so proud of our achievements over the last fourteen years.
"I'll be forever grateful to the wonderful Ann Cleeves and to Elaine Collins. The Producers, dream cast and crew have been fabulous and 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."
TV guide spoiler
Vera's fate hangs in the balance after a tantalising hint dropped in a Christmas TV guide.
A fan page for the ITV show shared an image showing the listings, which teased: "the show goes out with a bang when Vera's life is in danger while investigating the violent death of a student". Could this be the biggest hint Vera dies?
The final episodes of Vera will air on January 1 and 2 on ITV1 and ITVX, followed by the documentary on January 3.