Brenda Blethyn recalls 'losing her Vera hat' on set
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Brenda Blethyn has been playing detective Vera Stanhope on ITV for a decade. While the 75-year-old is usually eager to wear her character’s trademark mac and wellies, the actress admitted she was apprehensive about returning to set during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Reflecting on filming during the pandemic, the award-winning actress explained: “Sure, we’ve got to deal with COVID-19 and it was tricky; we were a little bit scared, working when there’s a pandemic on.
“You think, ‘Maybe it would be better if we were isolating’.
“But the precautions put in place were extreme and we were kept safe.
“You just have to be more creative in the filming of it.”
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So far, Vera fans have been treated to two episodes of the long-awaited season 11.
The first instalment of the new season saw DCI Stanhope and DS Healy investigating the murder of local builder, Jim Tullman.
The builder was found beaten to death on the steps of Tynemouth’s Collingwood Monument.
The second programme saw DCI Stanhope called to the scene of murdered support worker, Angela Konan.
While there are far grittier crime programmes around, Vera can have its dark moments, with Brenda explaining it can be difficult to switch off from filming.
She told the Irish News: “My husband always says my body comes home a month before my head.
The chatty star, who has been married to art director Michael Mayhew for 11 years, added: “I’m here physically, but my mind is still spinning with the work that I’ve been doing.
“I can’t leave it alone. And even after I’ve done it, when you can’t change it, I’m thinking, ‘I wonder if I should have done that?'”
Brenda started her acting career with the Royal National Theatre and has gone on to win prestigious awards including a Golden Globe and a BAFTA.
She explained: “I always say I have never been hampered by ambition.
“I always try to do my best in whatever it is I do; whether it’s a big part or a small part, doesn’t matter.
“I’m fortunate that here I am, I’m 75, and I’m still playing a leading part on a popular TV show. How lucky am I?”
Brenda also detailed her excitement about filming Vera in a host of locations, which includes the “magnificent” Northumberland National Park.
“If you’re going to have to spend six months away from the home, there’s nowhere nicer you’d want to be than the northeast of England,” she explained.
“The people are lovely, all the scenery is just gorgeous.
“The team of actors and the crew on Vera are just the best you can get. We’re like a big family.”
Vera is available to catch up on ITV Hub now.
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