Vera ITV spin-off 'demanded' as David Leon put in frame to replace Brenda Blethyn in lead role

Days after it was announced that Vera will come to an end next year, talk has now turned to the prospect of a spin-off, with Brenda Blethyn's right hand man David Leon come into the frame for the lead role, as fans 'demand' for the drama to continue.

Fourteen years after its ITV debut, Vera will wrap up with two final episodes in 2025, with filming on those set to get going next week, after the cast reunited for a script read through, hours after news broke on the much loved show's future. There were two big bits of casting news this time last year, when Kenny Doughty announced he was quitting as Aiden Healy after eight years and, in a shocking turn of events, David was coming back into the fold, having left as original sidekick Joe Ashworth nearly a decade earlier.

Given that Joe originally left for a 'promotion' many Vera fans were confused as to how he'd fit back in at Northumberland & City Police and, while initially he was there to monitor his former colleagues after concerns were raised over their methods of investigation, it soon became clear he wanted to be closer to home for a heartbreaking reason, after his dad was given a terminal diagnosis.

READ MORE: ITV Vera to end after 14 series as Brenda Blethyn confirms exit as famous detective

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After his surprising comeback for series 13, David will be alongside Brenda for the two new episodes and after her emotional statement about leaving her iconic role, viewers are wondering if a spin-off led by David could be in the pipeline. Making the call on X (Twitter) one fan posted: "I think I manifested @David_J_Leon back into the show btw, so maybe I can manifest a spin off … “Ashworth”??"

Also keen on the idea, a second wrote: "I'd love it if #VERA did a Morse/Lewis and let #JOE take over & continue solving murders with the Northumberland & City Police" adding: "lot's happened on the telly over the years that Cleeves didn't write, 8 years of Aiden for a start. Whether #VERA gets a spin-off with #JOE in the lead is up to the production company & @ITV"