December 24th 2024.
After 14 years of playing the iconic role of detective DCI Vera Stanhope on the ITV series Vera, Brenda Blethyn has announced that she will be leaving the show. The 78-year-old actress shared that she has mixed feelings about stepping down, as she knows she will miss being a part of the show that has been a huge part of her life for so long.
Earlier this year, Brenda revealed that she would be "semi-retiring" from acting in order to spend more time with her family. This includes her husband of 14 years, Michael Mayhew, who she has been in a relationship with since 1975. Filming for Vera often took her away from home, and Brenda felt that it was time to prioritize her personal life.
In an interview with Saga Magazine, Brenda shared, "I shall probably regret the decision soon, but Vera takes up quite a lot of my time. Filming a series means six months of the year away from home." While she has formed strong bonds with her co-stars and crew, Brenda also has a family down south that she has been longing to spend more time with.
She admitted that the decision to leave was not an easy one, but she knew it was the right thing to do. Her last series as DCI Vera Stanhope will air on January 1, and a special documentary, Vera: Farewell Pet, will be shown on January 3. Fans can rest assured that it will be an emotional farewell, not just for them, but also for Brenda.
Filming for six months of the year took a toll on Brenda, who shared that she has not spent a summer at home for the past decade. However, she did take some special souvenirs with her from the set, including Vera's iconic raincoat, hat, and tweed coat.
"It was a hard decision, and come March, when I would normally be getting ready to go back up there, I'll probably be crying," Brenda shared. "As much as I loved playing Vera, it was time to hang up the raincoat." But of course, she couldn't part with it completely, and took it with her as a cherished memento.
Brenda's husband, Michael, was thrilled when she shared the news of her departure. "Michael's face lit up when I told him [I was going to quit]," Brenda recalled. "I could tell he was kind of pleased I might be around a bit more, though he wouldn't have imposed that on me."
While Brenda and Michael tied the knot in 2010, they have been together for almost 50 years. When asked about the secret to their long relationship, Brenda humorously replied, "Two bathrooms. Two different rooms with a television too, so you can watch whatever you want. No arguments. You don't want someone rabbiting on while you're engrossed in an episode of Vera, do you?"
The final series of Vera will air on January 1 and 2 at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX. Fans can reminisce and say their final goodbyes to the beloved show, while also celebrating Brenda's remarkable portrayal of DCI Vera Stanhope. As for Brenda, she may be leaving the show, but she will always hold a special place in her heart for the character and the memories she has made on set.
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