Brenda Blethyn shares her reasons for leaving ITV’s Vera and reflects on her life and career.
Ramsgate: So, Brenda Blethyn, the star of ITV’s Vera, is getting ready to say goodbye to the show. It’s been a wild ride for over a decade, and fans are buzzing with questions about her decision to leave.
She’s been captivating us as DCI Vera Stanhope, solving crimes and tackling tough cases. But now, the final season is set to kick off soon, and it’s bittersweet for everyone involved.
Brenda, born in Ramsgate back in 1946, comes from a big family. She’s shared that even though they didn’t have much money, they were rich in love and support. It’s heartwarming to hear her talk about her childhood, saying they were “poor” but didn’t feel it because of all the good things in life.
Her journey into acting started young, thanks to an amateur dramatics club. She trained at the Guilford School of Acting and made her mark at the Royal National Theatre before landing roles in films like Pride and Prejudice and The Witches.
Now, about her personal life—Brenda was married young, but that didn’t last. She opened up about her first husband, Alan, who left her for someone else. It was tough, but she handled it with grace, saying he was a good guy, just one of those things.
Later, she found love again with Michael Mayhew, and they’ve been together for ages before finally tying the knot in 2010. They live in Kent with their adorable cockapoo, Jack, though she’s spent a lot of time in the northeast for filming.
Brenda’s decision to step back from Vera is all about family. She realized she hadn’t spent a summer with her husband in 14 years, and that hit her hard. She misses her family and her dog, Jack, who she didn’t get to see much while working.
She’s also mentioned wanting to settle down in Ramsgate, where she can enjoy the seaside life she loves. With Vera wrapping up, it looks like she’s ready to embrace that dream.
