Real reason Brenda Blethyn quit Vera as she returns to TV in Channel 4's A Woman of Substance
We could watch Brenda Blethyn all day and all night
Brenda Blethyn finally returns to our screens for the first time since leaving Vera as she takes on the role of Emma Harte in A Woman of Substance. But why did she really leave Vera?
The final ever series of the ITV detective drama aired in early 2025. And fans were gutted to say “cheerio” to the iconic DCI Vera Stanhope after 14 years.
At the time, veteran actress Brenda revealed the real reason why she wouldn’t be returning to the role in a series 15 of the detective drama. She announced in early 2014 that series 14 of Vera on ITV1 and ITVX would be her last – leaving millions of fans feeling rather sad.
So why did the actress Brenda Blethyn really decide to leave Vera? What did she said about leaving the role, and what will she miss? Here’s everything you need to know about Brenda’s big decision as she joins the cast of A Woman of Substance on Channel 4.
Will Brenda Blethyn be back in a series 15 of Vera?
Sadly Brenda Blethyn will not be reprising her role of DCI Vera Stanhope. So therefore, there can be no series 15 of Vera.
In April 2024, after months if not years of speculation, Brenda Blethyn finally announced she was saying “cheerio” to her character Vera after series 14.
In a statement issued at the time by Brenda and ITV, the actress revealed her intention to hang up Vera’s infamous trench coat and hat after filming series 14 in the North East.
Brenda said at the time: “Working on Vera has been a joy from beginning to end and I’m sad to be saying cheerio. But I am so proud of our achievements over the last 14 years.
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“I’ll be forever grateful to the wonderful Ann Cleeves who created Vera, and to Elaine Collins who saw fit to cast me in the role. The producers, dream cast and crew have been fabulous and I’m going to miss them, but I won’t forget their huge talent, the camaraderie, laughter or kindness we shared nor the friendship of the people of the north east and our fans worldwide. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
When was the final ever episode?
The final ever episode of Vera aired on ITV1 on January 2, 2025. The episode, which concluded the 14-year run of the show, saw DCI Vera Stanhope make a big decision regarding her future.
In episode 2 of series 14 – entitled The Dark Wives – Vera decided to retire to the Northumbrian coast with her dog. Having turned down a promotion, she passed on her duties to sidekick Joe Ashworth.
Why did Brenda Blethyn leave Vera?
Kent-born Brenda explained why Vera series 14 would be her last and why. At the time, she said: “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. 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.”
She added: “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.
“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’.”
What was Vera famous for?
Brenda Blethyn’s character Vera was famous for her killer instinct, but she was also known for her sensible clothing. And she admitted she wouldn’t be parted from Vera’s iconic hat and coat.
She revealed: “I’ve got Vera’s mac and hat. I’ve also got one of her coats. They might come in handy if and when I turn up at a charity fundraiser. The producers also presented me a Montblanc pen because they know I’m an avid crossword puzzler.”
Brenda also revealed that the wrap party was held at Newcastle United’s football ground St James’ Park. She explained: “Oh boy, that was an emotional evening. For a start, just to be at St James’ Park with the floodlights on when there’s nobody there. It looks so vast.
“And here was the Vera team enjoying themselves in the bar. We had a great big cake shaped like Vera’s Landy. It was lovely. Everyone having a good time. And so nice that Ann Cleeves was there. Then once I got on the train home, crossing the Tyne and leaving Newcastle behind, it hit me. I was rather emotional.”
What is Brenda Blethyn doing in 2026 after leaving Vera?
Since finishing filming Vera in July 2024, Brenda went on to complete a film written and directed by Paul Andrew Williams.
She explained: “I had no intention of embarking on something else so soon. But the filming in Yorkshire with Paul and co-starring Andrea Riseborough was imminent and irresistible.
“Apparently another actress had dropped out for personal reasons and they needed someone to replace her right away. So in the spirit of helping out I said, ‘Oh, let’s have a read of it’. And I liked it.”
Brenda also insisted that she is not retiring. She added: “Maybe semi-retired. I don’t want to be doing jobs which means going away for long periods of time. I’ve done that for the last 14 years. But, there again, never say never.”
The film, Dragonfly, is currently available to watch on Apple TV+. Brenda plays a neglected pensioner who finds an unexpected friend in her younger neighbour Colleen. Over time, a friendship grows. But is their relationship as perfect as it seems?
Brenda, now 80, is also appearing in the Channel 4 period drama A Woman of Substance. She plays Emma Harte in the rags-to-riches tale, based on the novel by Barbara Taylor Bradford.
Later this year, Brenda will also appear in Fools, a comedy film about Mary Tudor and her court jester. By Outnumbered writer Guy Jenkin, it also stars Karen Gillan, and Jim Broadbent.
