Vera star Brenda Blethyn has admitted that her desire to spend more time with her husband and beloved dog led to her decision to quit the hugely popular ITV soap after 14 seasons.
Brenda married Michael Mayhew, the former head of graphic design at the National Theater, in 2010. The couple first met through work in the 1970s before tying the knot three decades later.
However, the star was offered the role of Vera that same year, meaning that Brenda spent several months away from her husband throughout their marriage.
“It was a wonderful summer in 2023, and I realized I hadn’t had a summer with my husband in 14 years,” she explained.
“Naturally, I missed my family. And my dog Jack, even though he was with me in the Northeast, I didn’t see him much because I was working all day.
“I love my Vera family, but I love my other family too. And when you consider that I was already thinking about packing in the work when I was offered the job in 2010, 14 series of work on Vera is going very well!”
“I wasn’t going to do any more after series 13, but of course ITV said they needed to finish the series. So I said: ‘Oh, come on, I’ll do two more episodes.’ I remembered.
Brenda has previously spoken about how the job has affected her personal life and revealed that she is away from home for at least half the year while filming the film.
“Filming usually means spending six months away from home, and in 2022, it was the best part of ten months,” she said. woman.
“My dog Jack can’t be with me in the North East all that time. He’s fine once I’m away filming, but if I come home for a few days in between, he’ll go crazy – and then my husband has a great time when I’m gone again, and the dog wonders where I am ! She explained.
Brenda admitted that if she could have filmed closer to home she might have stayed with the show but she realized that was impossible.
“It is sad to say goodbye to the people in the cast and crew because they are so good, professional and talented, and I love working with them.
“I wish there had been an episode where she stayed at home in Kent – Vera goes south. But, of course, the series is dyed in the wool of Northumberland and the North East and I understand that’s where it needs to be.” I confess.