Vera star breaks silence over Brenda Blethyn exit in series finale

BBC Breakfast: Ann Cleeves talks about Vera tv adaptation

Vera writer Ann Cleeves has remained tight-lipped about how Brenda Blethyn will bow out of the ITV series, which is expected to hit screens next year. Ann appeared on the BBC Breakfast sofa to discuss her latest book and the show's final series.

Despite knowing how the books end, Ann admitted she has no clue and will be watching with viewers at home about how Brenda will leave the drama after playing DCI Stanhope since 2011.

When asked by Naga Munchetty about whether she likes the adaptation, Ann simply replied: "I do yeah, I think they capture the essence of the books and the atmosphere of the place, and that's far more important than details of the plot."

Surprised by Ann's admission, Naga said: "Really? It is more important than the plot?" before asking her about how the final series will wrap up. "Is it unusual that you don't know how this 10th series is going to end?"

"I guess, but I don't want to know," the author admitted. "I want to be there on a Sunday night with my glass of wine, watching and working out what they're going to do with it."

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Brenda Blethyn and David Leon filmed their finale series (Image: ITV)

"I'm a bit confused because obviously it's an adaptation of your books, your writing, and your character. So how much involvement do you have or have had in the television series?" Naga asked.

Ann explained: "I think that people who make television know more about making television than I do. I write the books. I love it.

"A lot of what I write is inside the characters' heads, and you need a skillful scriptwriter and director and actor to make those thoughts come across to the viewer.

"And I love writing books, it's what I do, and I think that creative freedom should be given to the people who make the television to do what they want."

Ann Cleeves discussed the end of Vera (Image: BBC)

When asked about how and when she comes up with her most creative ideas, Ann admitted she usually sits at her kitchen table in her pajamas drinking cups of tea.

"And then you get a trigger that makes you want to write," the Vera creator stated before sharing details of her latest Vera book, The Dark Wives.

"It was [after] hearing a documentary on Radio Four, and it was about the care system," she said. "It was called Profit Not Care, and it was about private care homes that make tremendous amounts of money out of our troubled teams.

"And I think that just makes me feel very queasy. So this is an angry book."

BBC Breakfast airs daily at 6am on BBC One.

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Vera star breaks silence over Brenda Blethyn exit in series finale

Vera star breaks silence over Brenda Blethyn exit in series finale

Vera star breaks silence over Brenda Blethyn exit in series finale

Vera star breaks silence over Brenda Blethyn exit in series finale

Vera star breaks silence over Brenda Blethyn exit in series finale