The team of detectives will reunite for the last time and solve their last murder together during the special episode.

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ITV’s Vera cast have wrapped up filming for the festive instalment titled The Rising Tide, and  Brenda, who plays DCI Stanhope, has paid a moving tribute to her “mate” and co-star, Kenny Doughty, ahead of his final scenes.

The episode, which will air on Boxing Day, will be the last time viewers will see the pair together following the announcement of Kenny’s departure from his role as DS Aiden Healy earlier this year. 

The crime-busting duo have been working alongside each other on the popular ITV crime series for nine years and have filmed eight seasons together, so some emotional scenes are in store for fans.

In a recent interview, Brenda spoke about Kenny’s departure and the upcoming festive episode

She explained: “I was sad when he said he was leaving. He’s my mate. We filmed eight series together, I’ve never laughed so hard as I did with Kenny Doughty.

“Vera and Aiden became very close over the years, it’s not surprising because she spent most of her time with him at work, and it was a good working relationship between the two characters as well as liking each other.

“Kenny and I kept each other company between scenes during long days, weeks, and months of filming, as well as at weekends because we were both working away from home. It’s total commitment.”

She continued: “Kenny was also my neighbour in the apartments where I stay during filming. I’ll miss him and wish him well.”

In March, Kenny announced that he had decided to leave Vera, admitting it was a very “difficult” choice.

In an emotional Instagram post, he wrote: “After eight years & 35 Vera films, I’ve made the difficult decision of handing over DS Healy’s badge. I can confirm I am leaving Vera.

“I want to thank everyone who’s made this amazing time so joyous, ITV, Silverprint, all the brilliant cast and crew, BUT of course my buddy & inspiration Brenda Blethyn. The perfect leading star who I owe so much to.

“I feel lucky to have you as a friend, you make me howl with laughter & have been a rock for me over the years. I can’t thank you enough. Precious times.

He concluded: “And finally, the Vera fans: without you and your support, I would never have made so many films. You really are the best fans in the world. Thank you so much for your loyalty & love for the show. X.”

Speaking further about why he exited the ITV series, he explained: “I made the decision before we started filming series 12. That was initially going to be the four films screened at the start of 2023.

“But then halfway through filming, they said, ‘Can we do a Christmas special as well?’ So it was a long goodbye, with The Rising Tide being my last episode filmed in November and December 2022.

“There were lots of personal and professional reasons why I wanted to move on. I have loved doing Vera 100 per cent, it has been a life-changing job for so many reasons.

“Including working with Brenda Blethyn and in the North East, I feel like an honorary Geordie. There is also a real family connection to the crew who I’m still in touch with.

“It has been nine years since I filmed my first episode in 2014, which was screened in 2015. I just wanted to leave while I was still happy with everything.”

“It was a really difficult decision to leave,” the actor said before adding: “Because I loved doing that job, and I loved working with everybody on the Vera team. But a little part of me, for whatever reason, the little inner self, said to me, ‘You should probably call it a day while you’re still enjoying it’.”

The Rising Tide episode will see DCI Stanhope and the clan tasked with a chilling investigation as they find themselves drawn to the enchanting tidal island of Lindisfarne, where a group of friends reunite every five years to celebrate their enduring lifelong bond.

Things quickly turn sinister when one of the friends is discovered dead, and the tragic death takes a disturbing turn when the team find that the victim had recently been fired amidst allegations of misconduct at work.

Also returning for The Rising Tide episode is Jac Williams, played by Ibinabo Jack,  Mark Edwards, played by Riley Jones, and Kenny Lockhart, played by Jon Morrison.

Vera: The Rising Tide will return to ITV on Boxing Day at 9pm.

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