Entertainment

Vera finishes series in triumph with viewing figures higher than Line Of Duty

When crime drama goes up against crime drama, there can be only one ratings winner.
When crime drama goes up against crime drama, there can be only one ratings winner. When crime drama goes up against crime drama, there can be only one ratings winner.

Crime drama Vera ended its latest series on a high as its final episode beat rival Line Of Duty in the ratings.

The two-hour programme aired on ITV from 8pm and was watched by 5.4 million viewers with a 25% share of the audience for its timeslot, according to overnight data.

Over on BBC One was the latest episode of police drama Line Of Duty, airing for one hour from 9pm, with an average of 4.5 million viewers and a 21% share of the audience.

Vera
Vera
Vera (ITV)

Despite beating the competition, Vera’s last episode did not manage to match up to the series opener, which saw 6.4 million viewers tune in to see Brenda Blethyn back as the frumpy but loveable DCI Vera Stanhope.

The debut episode of the seventh series divided viewers, with many complaining they could not understand the actors’ dialects.

However, following the final episode, Vera fans shared how “gutted” they were that it had come to an end for another year after four episodes.

Police procedural Line Of Duty, now in its fourth series, may not have matched the overnight numbers of Vera, but the current series is having a strong showing in the ratings.A record audience of five million on average tuned in for its first episode, with a rise of nearly two million viewers compared with the third series’ launch last year.

Line Of Duty
Line Of Duty
Line Of Duty (Des Willie/BBC/World Productions/PA)

Last week’s Sunday night broadcast of Line Of Duty, which stars Thandie Newton and Vicky McClure, scored an average of 5.1 million viewers.