Warning: This article contains spoilers about upcoming episodes of Prime Suspect which some readers may prefer to avoid. Please scroll down to continue.

Helen Mirren is to be paid £500,000 for a final appearance in Prime Suspect, according to The People today.

The actress has agreed to star as DCI Jane Tennison once more, but has requested for the character to be killed off.

A source told the newspaper, "Helen has agreed to do another, which we are all delighted about. She has asked bosses to kill off Jane Tennison. A cliffhanger ending is the most likely."

Mirren has explained that she is leaving the show because she wishes to pursue other roles.

"I didn't want to be knocked over by a car and have my obituary just talk about Prime Suspect," Mirren recently revealed.

The final episodes of the drama will air next year.