ITV has postponed the new series of ‘Vera’.
The broadcaster has decided to delay the popular show and the reboot of ‘The Darling Buds of May’ until at least 2021 due to ongoing issues relating to the coronavirus pandemic.
A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "Everyone is ready to go next spring or summer, so we’re keeping everything crossed."
A number of ITV shows are set to return to production later this year, but the broadcaster has decided to delay ‘Vera’ – which stars Brenda Blethyn – and the reboot.
The female-led detective series is unlikely to be screened until the end of the year at the earliest, with some key cast members being unavailable.
‘The Darling Buds of May’ has been delayed by a full year, as it must be filmed during the summer.
An insider explained: "It needs to shoot in full summer. We’re resigned to it being ‘The Darling Buds’ of next May now."
Meanwhile, Brenda previously acknowledged that Vera was initially an unpopular character.
The actress said: "I don’t think people liked her very much.
"But then they could see she was respected by her team and she would defend them like a mother [dog] her puppies. So people began to warm to her.
"There are lots of good crime stories on telly but she’s different. She looks like someone who could live down the street. You don’t know much about her personal life, you’re not lusting after her, so nothing gets in the way of the drama.
"It’s also good to see a woman of her age in a position of authority, telling a load of men what to do. I know lots of women around her age rejoice in that."