SHOCK đ±đ„ Vera icon Brenda Blethyn leaves fans stunned with surprise ITV comeback â the beloved star delivers a massive career bombshell, hinting at a return no one saw coming and teasing âunfinished businessâ set to shake one of Britainâs longest-running crime dramas.
The beloved 79-year-old icon almost walked away from her latest gripping project, confessing she was ready for a quiet life, but admits she âcouldnât resistâ the script â paving the way for a possible DCI Stanhope swansong!
Brenda Blethyn, the iconic face of ITVâs global smash hit Vera, has sent shockwaves through the entertainment world by revealing she almost flat-out rejected her next major role following her emotional departure from the beloved detective series.
The formidable 79-year-old actress, who filmed her final scenes as the legendary DCI Vera Stanhope last summer, has now dropped a massive career bombshell, hinting that a comeback for the raincoat-clad sleuth is not entirely off the table.
The farewell to Vera, witnessed by millions in January and syndicated across nearly 200 territories, seemed like a definitive ending. Yet, fresh from announcing her starring role in the chilling new thriller Dragonflyâa stark departure from her Northumberland settingâBrenda admitted during an appearance on ITVâs This Morning that she was seconds away from quitting acting altogether.
đïž âI Said NO To Start With!â â The Desire for Sandcastles Over Set Lights
Speaking candidly to hosts Dermot OâLeary and Alison Hammond, the celebrated performer confessed she desperately craved a well-earned break after years of dedication to Vera.
Dermot recalled their previous chat, saying: âWe had you on the sofa around Christmas time and you were like you know what Iâm done with Vera, Iâm having a break with Jack (her dog). Iâm going to take the dog for a walk and we will have a lovely time in KentâŠâ
Brenda confirmed the urge to retreat: âWell I said no to start with! I said âno, Iâm going to make sand castles on the beachââŠâ
But even a dream of seaside relaxation couldnât keep the acting titan away for long.
The Script That Was âToo Beautiful To Resistâ
Despite her resolve to rest, Brenda was ultimately lured back by the powerful narrative of Dragonfly, where she plays Elise, a vulnerable elderly neighbour cared for by Colleen (Andrea Riseborough).
âBut I read it,â she admitted, âand it is so well observed, so tender and beautifully written so I couldnât resist.â
When asked if she instantly knows when a script is a winner, she affirmed: âPretty much, yes. If itâs engaging, thought provoking and if it might make you change your mind about something then yes.â
The film itself has already garnered immense praise, hailed by The Guardian as a âstark, fierce and wonderfully acted filmâ and boasting an impressive 92% approval rating.
The Vera Question: A Special Appearance On The Cards?
However, the question every Vera fan needed an answer to hung heavy in the air. Alison Hammond pressed her: âThere are rumours on the street that Vera could come back. Would you ever go back to it and is it true, these rumours?â
Brendaâs response was a masterclass in tantalising ambiguity, giving fans more hope than despair:
âWell no, I donât think so because I think theyâre got rid of the set. If someone asked me if I would ever go back⊠If they were doing a SPECIAL, certainly Iâd leap at it but itâs unlikely to happen. Iâm too busy!â
While the door to a full series return appears firmly shut due to logistics, the mere mention of a âSPECIAL EPISODEââand her willingness to âleap at itââhas ignited feverish speculation across the UK. Will ITV risk losing their biggest export? Or will they pay any price to reunite Brenda with DCI Stanhope one last time?
One thing is certain: Brenda Blethyn, even when trying to retreat to the beach, remains one of televisionâs most compelling and unpredictable leading ladies.
