‘She's one of us!'

Brenda Blethyn on the enduring appeal of her crime-cracking character DCI Vera Stanhope…

- TESS LAMACRAFT

VERA

NEW SUNDAY / ITV / 8PM / EP 1 of 2 / DRAMA

A few greedy seagulls start swooping as they eye up the tempting fish and chips that Vera star Brenda Blethyn has in her hands for our exclusive TV Times photoshoot.

Dressed in the distinctive green mac and bucket hat of her alter ego, DCI Vera Stanhope, Brenda is standing in the beautiful surrounds of Seaton Sluice near Whitley Bay – just one the many stunning Northumberland locations used in the show.

Due to the pandemic delaying production of the 11th series, it’s been over 18 months since the hugely popular ITV crime drama was last on our screens. It returns this week with the first of two feature-length films, while four more episodes are due next year.

On a video call, the ever-delightful Brenda, 75, who stars alongside Kenny Doughty (DS Aiden Healy), tells us about filming during the pandemic, her love for puzzles, and a surprising ambition...

What can you tell us about this week’s episode?

A body is found on the steps of the Collingwood Monument at Tynemouth. It’s a builder who appears to have been a very upstanding member of the community and was due to be giving evidence at a trial.

The wonderful Lorraine Ashbourne plays the victim’s estranged wife. Vera also notices that Aiden is a bit off and wonders what’s going on with him. When she finds out, she tells him he needs to sort himself out!

How did the COVID-19 restrictions affect filming?

We had all sorts of the protocol in place and if you got too close to someone, the COVID marshal would come over with a big stick and make sure you were properly distanced.