Vera Christmas special set for tragic death as actors return for final episode

08 November 2023 , 12:13

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Vera will return for a feature length episode this Christmas, with Brenda Blethyn resuming her role as the much-loved character DI Vera Stanhope alongside her second in command, DS Aiden Healy

Brenda Blethyn will be front and centre of a new Christmas mystery for Vera on ITV this festive season.

The actress - who plays DI Vera Stanhope on the ITV detective show - will be forced into a new and treacherous investigation in the lead up to Christmas. Forced to uncover the secrets and webs of lies and deceit, the festivities must be put on hold for Vera and her team as they try to solve the case and bring the perpetrator to justice.

In the latest episode, which is set to air this Christmas on ITV1, Vera has no time to enjoy the joys of Christmas like Secret Santa and mince pies, when she's called into look at the apparent suicide of a man called Rick Kelasall.

Vera alongside her right hand man DS Aiden Healy

She's asked to investigate the high profile death on Holy Island, which of course is her home stomping ground. As is usually the case, Vera soon realises that there is more to this apparent suicide and that he was actually murdered.

Meeting up with his old friends for a reunion, something they did religiously for the last 40 years, is it the case that someone finally snapped and decided he must die and now, or is the scandal that blighted his career cause his early demise?

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What is the killer's motivation - greed or revenge, or is their something much sinister hiding in the shadows? Will the killer go to extreme lengths to hide their part in the murder - and is Vera and her team in danger? Will they all make it to Christmas?

Kenny Doughty, who plays Detective Sergeant Aiden Healy, will return alongside Jon Morrison, who plays DC Kenny Lockhart, Riley Jones, who plays DC Mark Edwards, Ibinabo Jack as DC Jac Williams, and Sarah Kameela Impey as Pathologist Dr Paula Bennett.

Some of the show's biggest names will return for the festive special (ITV)

The Rising Tide will also feature guest stars including Clare Holman, Jake Ashton-Nelson, Adrian Mills, Suzette Llewellyn, Brian Bovell, Orlessa Altass, Phil Cornwell, Adrian Rawlins, Kate Isitt, Felicity Dean, Natasha Patel, Sara Powell, Cora Kirk, Martin Turner, Eric Richard, Phillippa Wilson, Liz Crowther, Sam Halpenny and Peter Peverley.

DS Joe Ashworth star David Leon will be making a huge return to the show in the coming months. Speaking about Kenny and Ibinabo's exit, Brenda said: "It's been such a pleasure to work alongside Kenny and Ibinabo. They've both been terrific members of the Vera team, and I'll miss them. I'm absolutely over the moon to welcome David back to the show and can’t wait to get started."

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Jasmine Allday