Vera actress Brenda Blethyn shares update on ITV show's future after awards snub

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Vera’s Brenda Blethyn shares update on the future of the ITV drama after an awards snub and grilling from fans (Image: ITV)
Vera’s Brenda Blethyn shares update on the future of the ITV drama after an awards snub and grilling from fans (Image: ITV)

Vera actress Brenda Blethyn has given fans an exciting update on what's coming up next for the much-loved ITV series following a major awards snub.

The 78-year-old star has portrayed Vera since 2011 over 13 series, with no immediate plans to stop playing the popular detective. Yet despite being a fan favourite for more than ten years, the show didn't grab any awards at the Royal Television Society North East and Borders awards earlier this month.

Vera had nabbed a nomination for Best Drama, and Brenda, who plays DCI Vera Stanhope in the ITV drama, was in the running for the Drama Performance award, but they didn't take anything home on the night - much to the disappointment of the show's loyal viewers.

Vera actress Brenda Blethyn shares update on ITV show's future after awards snub eiqrxiqzkiqtdinvBrenda Blethyn recently explained how David Leon returning to the drama prompted her to sign up for another series (ITV)

But Brenda did take the opportunity to give some good news to fans at the event, explaining that Ann Cleeves, the author of the books the TV series is based on, is writing a brand new story. This wonderful news follows the recent announcement in January that a fourteenth series of Vera had been given the go-ahead.

And Brenda wasn't finished with her exciting updates there. Writing on Twitter (X), she revealed that they're going to start filming the new series very soon indeed. When a fan questioned, "When will the filming of Vera begin, please? Can't wait to see you all in and around North Tyneside. Brilliant programme", Brenda replied: "End [of] April."

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Earlier this year, as the 13th series of Vera premiered with David Leon returning as DS Joe Ashworth, Brenda revealed she wouldn't have come back to Vera if David hadn't decided to return too. The actress explained: "After we filmed The Rising Tide at the end of 2022 I didn't want to do any more without Kenny Doughty, who had decided to leave.

"But I said, 'I'll think about it if you can see if David Leon is available to return as Joe Ashworth,'" she added. "And so they did and here I am. I was broken-hearted when David left after Series Four and equally overjoyed when I heard he was coming back as the relationship between Vera and Joe worked so well."

She also pointed out their common shared history saying: "They have all of that early history together. I wouldn't have continued if David had not agreed to come back. I just didn't want to start another board game with somebody else when I know I'm not going to do many more. And who would want to do it anyway?"

The opening episode of the new series last month saw DCI Vera Stanhope investigate a country lane where a young man has had an accident with a car. When she discovers that the victim was a well-liked market trader, she quickly goes to the market to find out more about him.

All 13 series of Vera are available to stream now on ITV X.

Zoe Delaney

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