As she returns to our screens as DCI Vera Stanhope, Brenda Blethyn opens up about heartache, lasting love and why she considered quitting the popular show
It’s that time of year again, when our Sunday evenings are cheered by DCI Vera Stanhope in her famous mac and fishing hat. But, although the detective drama has brightened our screens since 2011, leading lady Brenda Blethyn readily admits that, for her, this series hung in the balance. Her reticence was down to the departure of beloved co-star Kenny Doughty, who made his swansong as DS Aiden Healy in the Christmas special.
“After we filmed The Rising Tide, I didn’t want to do any more without Kenny, who had decided to leave,” admits Brenda (77). “But I said, ‘I’ll think about it, if you can see if David Leon is available to return as [DS] Joe Ashworth.’ And so they did and here I am!
“I was broken-hearted when David left after series four and equally overjoyed when I heard he was coming back, as the relationship between Vera and Joe worked so well.
“I wouldn’t have continued if David had not agreed to come back. I just didn’t want to start another board game with somebody else when I know I’m not going to do many more.”
It’s perhaps not surprising Brenda won’t do many more. She’s starred in Vera – which is based on the books by Ann Cleeves – for 13 years, and has admitted she always wonders if each season will be her last.
“It’s a long shoot – almost six months – and is very hard work,” she has said. “Afterwards, I’m like, ‘Never again! I need a rest.’ I just want to be at home with my slippers on.”
For now, fans will doubtless be delighted that David Leon’s return is facilitating more Vera for the near future. The current series involved filming at several North East locations, including the new Vera studio in North Tyneside. And fans flocked from far away, sometimes bringing surprises.
“The fans are just so generous,” says Brenda. “A lady turned up from Australia and gave me a cloth kangaroo. I was also given a crochet replica of Vera, about a foot tall. It has pride of place on my mantelpiece.”
Sometimes, there’s a bit of drama too – like when the cast were filming on the seafront at Redcar. “It was a hot day,” says Brenda. “An 81-year-old lady who was among the fans watching us fainted. I said, ‘Sorry. I’m going to have to stop filming. I want to go and make sure that lady is all right.’ So, I went over and I chatted to her for a few minutes. She was going, ‘Ohhh… it’s Vera!’ She was so sweet and excited!”
While Brenda adores Northumberland, it takes her 300 miles away from Ramsgate, where she
