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“Vera is an iconic character”
“Vera is an iconic character”
Get clued up on series 10 of ITV crime drama Vera from stars Brenda Blethyn and Kenny Doughty
Get clued up on series 10 of ITV crime drama Vera from stars Brenda Blethyn and Kenny Doughty
Miscreants of Northumberland beware, because the caustic detective is back on the case in four new feature-length episodes
Vera, Sunday 12 January, 8pm, ITV/HD (CH 103/113). Also available for 30 days in Catch Up > Channels > ITV Hub
It’s the longest-running British-made detective series with a female lead on TV. It was one of the most-watched shows in 2019. Set along the rugged shoreline of Northumberland, it’s sold around the world, including the Middle East and Asia. It is, of course, Vera – and it’s back for a tenth series.
DCI Vera Stanhope (Brenda Blethyn) will be joined once again by DS Aiden Healy (Kenny Doughty) for four new episodes of the hugely popular ITV crime drama, which first aired in – brace yourself – 2011. This time around the pair have their hands full again, cracking cases involving corporate corruption, organised crime and families at war.
Episode 1 throws up a headscratcher for the meticulous Vera after a self-styled entrepreneur is found dead when bailiffs attempt to repossess his house. Further digging reveals the deceased’s personal and professional lives to be a mess, but who’s had him bumped off?
Want to know even more about Vera? Here’s what we learned about what goes on behind the scenes when we recently caught up with stars Brenda Blethyn and Kenny Doughty…
Brenda Blethyn sets the standard
“Brenda has created such an iconic, truthful character that everyone loves,” says Doughty. “She’s the standard-bearer of the show. We all come back with passion and vigour to do even better, and that’s 100% down to Brenda. We all contribute to it massively, but Brenda sets that standard.”
The success of the show was a surprise
“When we did the pilot, I was just praying they made the other three episodes so we could have a series,” says Blethyn. “When it got recommissioned I thought I’d won the pools!”
When it comes to Vera’s character, less is more. “You’re drip fed [her private life] and I think that’s good,” offers Blethyn. “As soon as you know everything about someone you lose interest in them. If you don’t know everything, it’s more intriguing. It leaves you wanting to find out more. She’s a private person.”
Want to know Northumberland’s best spots? Ask Brenda
“If you want to see the night sky, go to Kielder. There’s a beautiful forest and massive reservoir. Whitley Bay and all the way up the coast is lovely. There are so many places. The city as well is great. It’s party central!”
Badminton was played on set
“I always look up the actor coming in for an episode,” says Blethyn. “One actor, Simon Trinder, listed his special talent as badminton, so on our downtime we played badminton!”
Brenda Blethyn is to star in a new ITV comedy
“I’m about to do a comedy series for ITV called Kate And Kolo,” says Blethyn. “It’s about a lady who’s got a café. It’s six weeks of filming with a studio audience, starting in January or February.”
When in Vera series 10 on TV?
You can watch Brenda Blethyn and her bucket hat in four new episodes of Vera, starting on Sunday 12 January at 8pm on ITV/HD (CH 103/113). Also available for 30 days in Catch Up > Channels > ITV Hub
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