Brenda Blethyn has exclusively opened up on her decision to say goodbye to DCI Vera Stanhope once and for all.
The 78-year-old, who first took on the role in the hit ITV drama in 2011, was speaking on the red carpet at this year’s National Television Awards where Vera was nominated for Best Returning Drama.
Unfortunately for diehard Vera fans, there won’t be any more returns to the Northumberland-based crime drama when the upcoming two-part finale airs next year.
Blethyn said in a statement confirming her departure earlier this year: “Working on Vera has been a joy from beginning to end and I’m sad to be saying Cheerio. But I am so proud of our achievements over the last fourteen years. I’ll be forever grateful to the wonderful Ann Cleeves who created Vera, and to Elaine Collins who saw fit to cast me in the role.
WATCH BRENDA BLETHYN’S FULL RED CARPET INTERVIEW WITH GB NEWS HERE
“The producers, dream cast and crew have been fabulous and I’m going to miss them, but I won’t forget their huge talent, the camaraderie, laughter or kindness we shared nor the friendship of the people of the northeast and our fans worldwide. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
It’s been five months since Blethyn made the statement and now she’s explained why she quit the role, admitting she’s no longer “sad” to say goodbye.
“I’m not sad because I’m so happy to have done it,” Blethyn told GB News. “And I’m just so happy to work with all these wonderful people.
“The producers and directors are coming up the rear here, I mean, it was such a happy time. So we’ll be friends forever.”
When asked if it was a “difficult” conundrum to call time on the series, Blethyn explained why it wasn’t and the reason behind her thinking.
“Not really, because I was away from home for six months every year. And after 14 years, you know…”
As the interview shifted towards the final-ever episodes of Vera, Blethyn confirmed: “They’ll be out next year.”
However, Blethyn did her best to remain tight-lipped about what fans can expect as when she was asked if there was anything she could tease for the finale, she simply replied: “Ummm, no.”
However, she added: “I hope (it will be very good). I hope – I’ve not seen it myself yet.
“We’ve still got ADR to do and, you know, all the post-production stuff. And I’ve worked on a film since then.”
Delving into her next work project away from the North East, Blethyn said: “I just finished last week on a Paul Andrew Williams film.
“It’s untitled so I can’t even tell you the name of it, but it was with Andrea Riseborough.”
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last few days of filming VERA but we still have time for Macmillan fundraiser. pic.twitter.com/tkKUSA0GBQ
— Brenda Blethyn (@BrendaBlethyn) July 10, 2024
Blethyn then made her way inside London’s O2 where, sadly, Vera missed out on the gong for Best Returning Drama to Netflix’s period smash hit, Bridgerton.
Fans will have to wait until next year to see how DCI Stanhope’s story will conclude but several have already made demands to the show’s writers about how they want the show to bow out.
Many have urged bosses not to kill off Vera to bring a definitive end to the show while others have begged the drama’s writers to create a spin-off to keep the Vera universe alive.
Elsewhere at the NTAs, The Repair Shop’s Dominic Chinea dropped a rather cryptic clue about the BBC show’s future while BBC Strictly star Neil Jones spoke out about the new welfare measures the dance competition has introduced following a tumultuous few months.
