Brenda Blethyn quits role in ITV's Vera
Brenda Blethyn has decided to step down from her position as the lead character on the popular TV show Vera, which means that the hit detective program will now come to a close after having run for a total of 14 seasons.
The performer, who celebrated her 78th birthday in February 2024, will retire from portraying DCI Vera Stanhope on screen once the filming concludes this summer. She will no longer wear the character's signature trench coat and hat.
In 2011, she commenced her portrayal of Vera in a collection of crime mysteries that take inspiration from the works of Ann Cleeves. These stories are set in Northumberland and have been acknowledged for their role in promoting tourism in the region.
Blethyn expressed that it has been a delightful experience working on Vera, and she feels melancholic to bid farewell. Nonetheless, she is exceedingly content with the accomplishments they have made in the last 14 years.
I will always feel thankful for Ann Cleeves, who crafted the magnificent character of Vera, and for Elaine Collins, who decided to select me for the part. The people responsible for creating the show, including the excellent cast and crew, have been amazing, and I will miss them greatly. Nonetheless, I will always remember their immense skills, the companionship, the joyfulness, and the benevolence we had together, as well as the affection of North East folks and our followers from all over the world.
"I express my deepest gratitude."
Iconic Character - Truly Outstanding
The producer of the show, Kate Bartlett, praised the unmatched skills of Brenda Blethyn. She also described the character Vera as an icon of modern times.
Ms. Bartlett expressed her feelings about the conclusion of the long-running series, Vera, stating that it marks the end of a memorable era. She reflected on the exceptional journey that the show has taken over the course of its 14 seasons. She also expressed her sadness towards bidding farewell to Brenda and the entire team responsible for bringing the program to life.
During an interview with The Telegraph in 2021, Blethyn stated that she had been considering taking some time off when she received the scripts for Vera.
She expressed her excitement about playing against her.
Although, she also mentioned that filming in a location far away from her residence in Ramsgate, Kent with her husband can be quite exhausting.
According to The Mirror, she stated that after filming concludes, she often utters the phrase, "I don't believe I'm capable of continuing this." She further added that filming typically involves being away from home for six months, and in 2022, it was for nearly ten months.
Blethyn expressed her disappointment about proceeding with the show without her colleague, Kenny Doughty, who left his character, DS Aiden Healy, in 2023. However, she was thrilled when the producers decided to revive a previous character, Joe Ashworth, portrayed by David Leon.
"If David hadn't agreed to come back, I wouldn't have kept going. I didn't feel like playing another board game with someone else knowing that I won't be playing much more," she expressed in 2023.
