Fans of Vera will be delighted to see Brenda Blethyn, who stars as DCI Stanhope, make an unexpected return to the small screen this Sunday night when a rerun of the ITV drama is aired.

The second episode of the twelfth series of Vera will be broadcast on ITV at 8pm, featuring Brenda and her sidekick Aiden Healy, played by Kenny Doughty.

The episode's synopsis reveals: "Adapting to civilian life was not easy for Lance Corporal Conn Burns, and after a series of bad life choices, he found himself desolate, down and out on the streets of Newcastle."

It continues: "Attempting to get his life back on track, Conn had recently been making moves that would see him repay old debts, rebuild relationships, and get him off the streets."

"DCI Stanhope is called in after the body of Burns is discovered, and unearths secrets from his past and betrayal in the present."

Earlier this year, Brenda announced she would be retiring her iconic hat and coat for good. Despite the tough decision, the actress expressed her desire to spend less time away from her family, reports Wales Online.

During a Q&A event in London, she shared: "It was a big decision because I love the job, I love the people I was working with and I know they loved it too so it was a little bit of an emotional responsibility as well because if I stop, it's going to stop."

"I saw on the catering list one day, just on a typical day there were 76 people, so that's all those people. I console myself with the fact that there's a big studio opening in Sunderland next year so there will be lots of jobs available."

She continued: "I was aware that people who would like to continue on it wouldn't be able to and that made me feel sad but as much as I like my Newcastle family, I have a family at home and I hadn't had a summer for 14 years and I thought, 'Bren, go and have a summer. Go home'. So it was a difficult decision."

The news of Brenda's exit from the show has left fans devastated, compounded by Kenny Doughty's announcement that he too would depart the series in 2023.

Replacing Vera's first partner, Joe Ashworth (David Leon), Aiden became a staple in the fifth series of the ITV drama. Yet, come spring 2023, Kenny shared his "difficult decision" to leave on Instagram.

He said: "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 and 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 and have been a rock for me over the years. I can't thank you enough. Precious times."

In a touching finale to his address, he tipped his hat to the show's devoted fans: "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 and love for the show."

Following Kenny Doughty's exit from Vera, David Leon made a comeback to play Joe until the series reached its conclusion.

Vera airs on Sunday at 8pm on ITV.