Brenda Blethyn, the talented actress behind the iconic character Detective Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope, has made a significant admission about her time on the popular ITV series Vera. After announcing her departure from the show last year, Blethyn revealed that she never fully mastered Vera’s north-east accent, which was inspired by the show’s props man Geoff Blackburn ¹.
In the documentary special Vera… Farewell Pet, Blethyn confessed, “I don’t think actually that I have ever cracked it.” She also shared that she often experiences “imposter syndrome” as an actor. This candid admission offers a glimpse into the challenges Blethyn faced while portraying the beloved character.
Blethyn’s decision to leave the show after 13 years was a bittersweet moment for fans. The final episode, which aired in January 2025, showed Vera retiring from her role as DI, a conclusion that reassured viewers who were concerned the character might be killed off ¹.
The actress reflected on her time on the show, saying, “On the last day I felt very emotional. It’s her packing up her stuff and backing out of the office and I could have cried to be honest.” Blethyn also expressed her gratitude to fans, writing on social media, “A heartfelt thank you to everyone who sent such warm messages about the winding up of VERA” ¹.
Vera’s impact on North East Tourism has been significant, with the show winning an award at the 2019 RTS North East and Border Awards. The series, which was filmed across north-east England, showcased the region’s beauty and attracted visitors from around the world ¹.
