Brenda Blethyn, 78, issues statement as she breaks silence on ITV Vera finale: ‘Made it even more special’
Vera star Brenda Blethyn, 78, has made her first public comments since the final broadcast of the beloved ITV detective drama.
The 78-year-old first starred as DCI Vera Stanhope in 2011 and saw the series catapult to global fame.
Friday’s final episode saw Vera try to solve the case of a girl missing from a children’s home and a murder connected to the case.
As viewers said goodbye to the much-loved detective, Blethyn shared her appreciation to the fans on social media.
“A heartfelt thank you to everyone who sent such warm messages about the winding up of VERA,” she began.
“I loved every minute of working on the series and I will miss it,” Blethyn revealed.
The post concluded: “The warmth and generosity of fans worldwide made it even more special. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Brenda x.”
Fans flooded the actress with their own tributes in response to the post.
“Let us add our thanks to you as well. Vera’s character as you portrayed her inspires me in my later years to speak my mind,” one said.
Another glowed: “One of my all-time favorite shows. There will never be another Vera.”
“Have loved watching you over the years pet,” a third wrote, referencing Vera’s own manner of speech.
A fourth touchingly revealed: “I’m 70 years old and physically disabled which makes me nearly housebound. I adored watching Vera. All the acting was superb, and the scenery was beautiful. I will really miss it.”
In a previous interview with the Radio Times, Bleythn admitted the decision to leave Vera was particularly difficult – explaining that she had struggled to “drag herself away” from the show.
“It was a hard decision and come March when I would normally be getting ready to go back up there, I’ll probably be crying,” the 78-year-old said.
Blethyn revealed her decision to leave was motivated by family commitments, with filming forcing her to miss summers with loved ones for the 14-year run of the show.
The iconic actress said she was looking forward to spending more time at home with her husband and their treasured dog, Jack.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
BBC The Traitors fans react to end of ‘boys club’ in major series debut gender twistJames Corden hails BBC Gavin & Stacey for depicting ‘people that look like us’ falling in loveDavid Beckham shares emotional post with wife Victoria as he breaks silence after knighthood snub
a heartfelt thank you to everyone who sent such warm messages about the winding up of VERA. i loved every minute of working on the series and I will miss it. The warmth and generosity of fans worldwide made it even more special. thank you from the bottom of my heart. brenda x
— Brenda Blethyn (@BrendaBlethyn) January 3, 2025
“None of us is getting any younger,” she admitted.
Despite hanging up Vera’s iconic hat and overcoat, Blethyn assured fans she has no plans of retiring from acting.
As production wrapped on Vera, the 78-year-old told Radio Times that she had launched herself into filming a new project with actress Andrea Riseborough.