December 13th 2024.
As we approach the bittersweet finale of the beloved ITV crime drama Vera, star Brenda Blethyn has opened up about the emotional response from fans. Some have even shed tears while speaking to her, knowing that the end is near.
From Northumberland to Australia, the cries of anguish and disappointment can be heard. It's hard to believe that after 13 years, 14 series, and 56 episodes, DCI Vera Stanhope, the beloved creation of crime writer Ann Cleeves, will soon be saying goodbye. And with her, the award-winning Brenda Blethyn will be parking up her battered old Land Rover and hanging up her fishing hat and trench coat.
But before we reach that point, there are still two final 90-minute cases for Vera to crack. The first case involves a young man's body found on the banks of the Tyne and a 20-year-old cold case that intertwines with it. The second case deals with the violent death of a student and the disappearance of a young girl. This proves to be Vera's most emotionally challenging case yet, as it stirs up ghosts from her own unhappy childhood. In a recent interview, Brenda shared some of her favorite memories from the show.
On her first day as Vera, Brenda recalls feeling lucky to be a part of such a talented cast, especially the local actors who helped her perfect Vera's accent. At first, not everyone liked Vera's character, but her on-screen sidekick, David Leon, who plays DS (now DI) Joe Ashworth, helped change their minds. And as the show gained more success, Brenda was able to soften Vera's accent and make it her own.
As the show comes to an end, Brenda has noticed that many fans are sad to see it go. She even met a woman who cried at a retirement care home, saying that Vera was her companion and friend. Another fan, Chrissy from Australia, heard about the show ending and immediately hopped on a plane to visit the filming locations and have tea with Ann Cleeves.
Brenda also shared some behind-the-scenes moments, including her own hair-raising stunt where she accidentally left the handbrake off and nearly took out the entire camera crew. She also reminisced about working with some up-and-coming actors, including Wunmi Mosaku and Kingsley Ben-Adir, who have since found success in other projects.
Despite the challenges of playing a tough detective, Brenda has enjoyed every moment of bringing Vera to life. She admits that some of the police procedures were hard to remember, like ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition), but she always appreciated the attention to detail on the show. Even famous fans like Steve Martin have gushed about Vera on talk shows.
On her last day of filming, Brenda gave an impromptu speech, thanking everyone for their kindness and camaraderie. She also expressed gratitude for the loyal cast and crew who have been a part of the show from the beginning. And as a memento, she kept Vera's signature mac and hat.
But for now, fans can tune in on New Year's Day and January 2 to watch the final two episodes of Vera, followed by a companion documentary on January 3. And if you have a celebrity story or photos to share, don't hesitate to reach out to The Agency entertainment team.
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