Brenda Blethyn, the beloved actress known for her role as DCI Stanhope in ITV's hit drama Vera, was rushed to hospital after suffering a 'medical emergency' on set. A makeup artist noticed something amiss while watching the BAFTA winner and Oscar nominee on camera.
After 14 years of captivating audiences with her no-nonsense sleuth character, Brenda is set to bid farewell to the role. ITV confirmed earlier this month that the final episodes of Vera will air on January 1 and 2, followed by a Vera spin-off documentary the night after the finale.
Fans are devastated that their favourite crime drama is drawing to a close. Some fortunate fans had the opportunity to see Brenda and Ann Cleeves, the author behind Vera, on stage at a special screening in London in November.
Before being interviewed by event host Emma Kennedy, Brenda spoke with media about her time in her iconic role. It was during this conversation that Brenda revealed her health scare.
She explained that she had been afflicted by Bell's Palsy - an unexplained episode of facial muscle weakness or paralysis. Recalling the incident, which she estimated occurred 'four or five years ago,' Brenda described how she was filming a scene when a makeup artist intervened after noticing her face drooping on a monitor, reports Chronicle Live.
Blethyn recounted: "I was dealt with immediately by a doctor and taken to hospital," before she confirmed that she "found out it was caused by an ear infection."
After wrapping up her final scenes as Vera in July, Brenda confessed to feeling "tired and emotional" as she embarked on the lengthy journey back home from Newcastle.
Fans were left devastated by the news that the hit ITV detective series will be coming to an end with Brenda as the face of it, with many begging for more episodes to be made.
