Vera author 'wasn't sure' about Brenda Blethyn as lead star after ITV landed show
Ann Cleeves confessed that she "wasn't sure" at first that Brenda Blethyn was right for the part of Vera - but from the moment she first heard her speak one of her lines from the script, she was instantly converted. Talking in a video interview published on her website, Ann - who has sold several million copies of her phenomenally successful books - told all about her feelings for Brenda.
"When I first heard that ITV were hoping she'd play the part, I wasn't quite sure as I knew she came from Kent," she began. "I definitely wasn't someone who could do an authentic Northumberland accent - but just the first time I heard her read the part, we were sat at a bare table.
"Nobody was acting - they were just reading the script. From that moment I knew that she'd be brilliant - and she is!" She went on to explain that the decision to commission the series had come about entirely "by chance" after producer Elaine Collins discovered The Crow Trap in an Oxfam charity shop near where she lived in North London.
Ann admitted she was "hugely excited" by the prospect of seeing her books brought to life onscreen - but there was one obstacle to overcome first. "We knew we were dependent on Brenda Brethyn playing the part for ITV to commission the series," she explained.
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READ MORE: Brenda Blethyn's eye-watering net worth and multiple homes as she quits show [INSIGHT]
Vera author Ann Cleeves has shared her opinion on Brenda Blethyn (Image: GETTY)Sadly, the news has now broken that - after the 14th series draws to a close - Vera will not be returning to ITV.
It comes in spite of the fact that a new Vera novel, The Dark Wives will hit bookstores in August.
It's expected to be essential reading for many fans on their summertime holidays - but there are now just two TV episodes, two hours in length each, still to be filmed and screened later in the summer.
Brenda made the sad announcement that she's stepping away this morning, releasing an official statement thanking fans for their dedication to the show.
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window.topArticlesScript="https://cdn.images.express.co.uk/js/dist/article-top-articles20240416.min.js""Working on Vera has been a joy from beginning to end and I’m sad to be saying Cheerio," the 78-year-old explained.
However, she added that she was "so proud" of what had been achieved in the last 14 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," she reminisced.
“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 North East and our fans worldwide. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Vera author 'wasn't sure' about Brenda Blethyn as lead star after ITV landed show
Vera author 'wasn't sure' about Brenda Blethyn as lead star after ITV landed show
Vera author 'wasn't sure' about Brenda Blethyn as lead star after ITV landed show
Vera author 'wasn't sure' about Brenda Blethyn as lead star after ITV landed show
Vera author 'wasn't sure' about Brenda Blethyn as lead star after ITV landed show
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