Vera star Brenda Blethyn reveals truth about marriage breakdown in rare personal interview

VERA star Brenda Blethyn revealed the truth about her marriage breakdown in a rare personal interview.

The actress, 76, has played DCI Stanhope in the ITV series since 2011.

Brenda - who shot to fame as an actress in 1976 - never thought she'd end up in the industry because she started off her career as a typist.

But after randomly entering a drama competition, she decided to attend drama school and has never looked back.

As one exciting new chapter started in her life, another came to an end - her marriage to ex husband Alan Blethyn.

Recalling the start of her career, Brenda recently said on Radio 4 Saturday Live podcast: "I was 27, something like that and I was married.

"But at the time, I was accepted on the course at Guilford and actually [I was] going in the September [and] my marriage broke up. "

She added: "My entire life changed, my prospects, my job, my bank balance, where I lived, my friends.

"Everything changed, and it was quite a brave thing to do, but I'm so glad I did it."

Brenda was with Alan between 1964 and 1973.

It comes days after Vera bosses have given an update on when its missing episodes will finally air - and fans are in for a rather lengthy wait.

Earlier this year, fans of the series were left gutted when the final two episodes of series 11 weren't broadcast on ITV. 

Production for the Brenda Blethyn series was put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic, meaning bosses were forced to spread out when the episodes would air.

The first two instalments were shown in 2021, followed by the second two which aired in January this year.

However, fans expected the final two episodes to be shown shortly after, but they were replaced with Good Karma Hospital instead.

Despite the wait for series 11, Brenda and co-star Kenny Doughty have been spotted filming for series 12 in Newcastle.\

In a new interview, ITV bosses have discussed when filming for the upcoming series will come to an end.

However, much to fans' disappointment, they could not confirm when the final two episodes of series 11 would be broadcast.

In a recent interview, leading lady Brenda admitted she didn't know when the final episodes would air either.

The actress spoke with Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield about the cop drama during an appearance on This Morning.

“We’ve got two more episodes of the current series of Vera,” Holly said as she held up a DVD of the show.

“We’ve got episodes one, two, three and four,” the host continued as Brenda replied: “Yes, they are out now.

“There will be another one with five and six at some point," she added as she discussed the final two episodes of series 11.

Brenda has played DCI Vera Stanhope since the series began in 2011, and she has become a hit with fans ever since.

Joe Ashworth - played by David Leon - was DCI Stanhope's original sidekick before he was replaced by Aiden Healy in 2014.

Vera is expected to air on ITV later this year