Vera star Brenda Blethyn announces 'retirement' as she bids an emotional farewell

Veteran actress Brenda Blethyn has disclosed her shift to "semi-retired" status as the hit series Vera prepares to grace our screens for the very last time come January.

The 78 year old star has opted to step back from her iconic role as DCI Vera Stanhope, eager to reclaim summer moments with her husband and family. The 14th and final instalment of the beloved crime drama, renowned for showcasing the North East, is slated to premiere in two segments sometime early next year.

Blethyn, opening up about her choice to depart, admitted to PA News Agency: "It was a lovely summer back in 2023. And I came to realise I hadn't had a summer with my husband for 14 years."

Family ties pulled at Blethyn's heartstrings, including missing her dog Jack despite his proximity during filming in the North East: "Naturally I missed my family. And my dog Jack, although he was with me in the North East, but I didn't see him much because I was working all day."

Despite her deep connection with her "Vera family", she harbours profound love for her personal family: "I love my Vera family, but I love my other family too. And when you consider I was already thinking about packing work in when I was offered the job back in 2010, 14 series of working on Vera is pretty good going."

She reminisced about nearly bowing out post-series 13, only relenting to ITV's plea to tie up the narrative: "I wasn't actually going to do any more after series 13, but of course ITV said they needed to wind the series up. So I said, 'Oh go on then, I'll do a couple more episodes'."

Now, Blethyn frames herself as "semi-retired", having previously dismissed full retirement. She cherishes roles that keep her close to home, explaining: "I don't want to be doing jobs which means going away for long periods of time."

Reflecting on the emotional wrap-up of the series, she shared: "It felt extra special filming these final two films. We are all pretty close. Jon Morrison (DC Kenny Lockhart) has been there since the second episode of the first series and Riley Jones (DC Mark Edwards) came in on the fourth episode."

"It's been a big part of their lives too. It's sad saying goodbye to people in the cast and crew because they are so good, professional, and talented, and I love working with them."

"I wish there could have been an episode where I stayed at home in Kent: 'Vera Goes South'. But, of course, the series is dyed in the wool Northumberland and the North East and I understand that's where it has to be."

The upcoming finale episodes of Vera take place around the scenic River Tyne, where a young man's body has been found. Speaking about the North East, Blethyn said: "Northumberland and the wider North East is so varied and beautiful."

"It's not just one thing. It's the seascapes, the landscapes, the moors, the cities. A lot of them steeped in history."

"And lively. It's not for nothing that Newcastle is called the party town."

"Over the years, I must have travelled tens of thousands of miles to various locations. If I'd been on holiday that would've been great, but as it was, I'd get in the car at some unearthly hour in the morning and my head is in the script."

"And as I'm in almost every scene, I'm going through what I'm doing that day and then I get out of the car at the other end. So I'm not taking in the joys of sightseeing."

"But I always love everywhere we film. And the people are so nice."

Teasing the upcoming Vera specials, Blethyn commented on the emotional weight of certain scenes, notably one with her character Vera and DC Kenny Lockhart, confessing "broke my heart when I read the script" and describing the filming process as "emotional".

Fans can look forward to seeing a talented ensemble cast including David Leon as DI Joe Ashworth, Jon Morrison as DC Kenny Lockhart, Riley Jones as DC Mark Edwards, Sarah Kameela Impey as Dr Paula Bennett, and Rhiannon Clements as DC Steph Duncan.

Ann Cleeves, the author of the Vera novels which inspire the series, was present to celebrate the wrap of the final episode - based on her book 'The Dark Wives', released in August 2024. The festivities included a "great big cake shaped like Vera's Landy", according to Blethyn.

In addition to absorbing the fond memories, Blethyn didn't leave empty-handed; she acquired several keepsakes, including Vera's signature mac, hat, and even a Montblanc pen gifted by the show's producers.

The end of an era for Vera arrives with the airing of the last episodes on ITV1/STV at 8pm across January 1 and 2, concluding with a dedicated documentary titled Vera Farewell Pet on January 3 at 9pm.