Imelda Staunton’s acclaimed drama Vera Drake is leaving Netflix soon
If you have been meaning to watch Vera Drake, the clock is ticking. Mike Leigh’s acclaimed 2004 period drama is currently available on Netflix, but its listing is due to expire on 16 October 2026.
Starring Imelda Staunton alongside Daniel Mays, Jim Broadbent and Lesley Manville, the film is a deeply affecting portrait of one woman’s secret life in 1950s London. It also remains one of the most celebrated performances of Staunton’s career.
Imelda Staunton leads Mike Leigh’s powerful period drama
Set in London in 1950, Vera Drake follows Vera, a working-class house cleaner who devotes herself to her family and to helping people around her.
Behind her cheerful and caring public image, however, Vera has a secret. She quietly performs illegal abortions for women facing unwanted pregnancies, asking for no payment for her help.
The film gradually brings Vera’s two worlds into conflict, creating the central drama of Leigh’s story. At its heart is Staunton’s portrayal of a woman who sees what she does as an act of compassion, even though abortion was illegal in Britain at the time.
The film runs for 125 minutes and was written and directed by Mike Leigh.
A remarkable cast
Staunton plays the title character, with Daniel Mays appearing as Sid Drake.
The supporting cast is equally impressive, including Phil Davis, Eddie Marsan, Adrian Scarborough, Sally Hawkins, Ruth Sheen, Lesley Sharp, Jim Broadbent and Lesley Manville.
The film’s ensemble is an important part of its appeal, with the story spending considerable time with Vera’s family and the people whose lives intersect with hers.
A major success at Venice
Vera Drake premiered in 2004 and immediately attracted major attention on the international festival circuit.
At the 61st Venice International Film Festival, the film won the Golden Lion for Best Film, while Imelda Staunton received the Volpi Cup for Best Actress.
The film’s success continued through awards season. Staunton won the BAFTA for Best Actress in a Leading Role, while Leigh won the BAFTA for Best Director. Staunton also received the European Film Award for Best Actress for her performance.
She was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress, while Leigh received Oscar nominations for Best Director and Best Original Screenplay.
Critics continue to rate it highly
The film’s critical reputation has remained strong.
At the time of writing, Vera Drake holds a 92% approval rating from 159 critics on Rotten Tomatoes, while its audience score stands at 84% from more than 10,000 ratings.
Critics have particularly praised the film’s carefully developed family relationships, Leigh’s direction and Staunton’s central performance.
Film Comment described the film as “wonderfully subtle and relentlessly harrowing”, while World Socialist Web Site praised the construction of its family scenes and Leigh’s attention to the characters.
New York Daily News, via Rotten Tomatoes, called the film “perfect down to the last detail”.
The film’s historical setting also gives its story considerable weight. It depicts a period when abortion was illegal in Britain, placing Vera’s actions and the consequences that follow within the social and legal realities of 1950s England.
Watch the trailer
When is Vera Drake leaving Netflix?
Vera Drake is currently streaming on Netflix, but according to the listing in the original report, it is scheduled to leave the service on 16 October 2026.
That gives viewers a limited window to catch Mike Leigh’s acclaimed period drama on Netflix, particularly if they want to see the performance that earned Imelda Staunton major honours at Venice, the European Film Awards and the BAFTAs.
Vera Drake was released in 2004 and remains a highly regarded example of British period drama, with its 1950s setting, ensemble cast and Staunton’s award-winning lead performance at the centre of the film.