The actress, 76, has revealed the toll of filming Vera 300 miles away from home has on her and admitted she's unsure if she can 'do it anymore'.
The final episode sees the death of a beloved local whose body washes ashore on the River Tyne. Luckily for Brenda, Vera's matronly figure is achieved by bundling her in layers. 'Filming usually means six months away from home – and in 2022 it was the best part of 10 months.
With Vera returning to ITV, we look at filming locations used in each series of the long-running ITV Sunday night crime drama.
The first episode was set on the Farne Islands and saw Vera take the sea air as she travelled over there by boat from the mainland. [Brenda has since confirmed was filming for The Rising Tide](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/tv/brenda-blethyn-vera-rising-tide-25922030). [County Durham](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/all-about/county-durham) and in Newbiggin-by-the-Sea in Northumberland, as well as [Seaton Delaval](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/all-about/seaton-delaval), [Blyth](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/all-about/blyth) and [Seaton Sluice](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/all-about/seaton-sluice), where one fan at the time posted a photograph of himself with Brenda Blethyn on She added: "There is such a variety of locations in the area. The thrilling feature length story concluded with a frantic chase around South Shields' famous Ocean Beach theme park. Heaping praise on her stunning surroundings and the region as a whole, Brenda said: "“I do love the North East. I will certainly continue to visit the area once Vera has finally hung up her hat. [Whitley Bay and Seaton Sluice](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/tv/vera-cast-crew-arrive-whitley-20188377), including at the lighthouse and in the seaside's Duke Street where during a scene Doughty had [a brief kick-around with a ball](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/tv/gallery/vera-back-whitley-bay-co-20232746). [Chester-le-Street](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/all-about/chester-le-street) where Blethyn and Doughty were snapped walking in and out of the venue and Arlo restaurant in Jesmond which was the chosen setting - with a name-change - for [a scene shot there in November](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/tv/vera-filming-jesmond-restaurant-arlo-19340175). Almost as it was confirmed that production had started on series 12, eagle eyed fans spotted filming taking place [Amble, near The Fish Shack on Harbour Road, was the star of the show](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/tv/gallery/vera-filming-sees-brenda-blethyn-19040383) - near The Fish Shack on Harbour Road - and a night shoot took place in Wallsend, around Tynedale Avenue and High Farm, with even that late - and rather drizzly - occasion drawing spectators. [Blyth](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/all-about/blyth) container port and a kidnap plot, with a twist which leads to a bit of a shocker in store for Vera.
Actress Brenda Blethyn has had more than 45 years in the industry and is best-known for her long-running role portraying DCI Vera Stanhope on ITV1 drama ...
“As Kenny and I have a lot of scenes together, and especially in the Land Rover, it was decided we should be in a bubble,” Brenda explained in August during promo for the eleventh series of Vera: “Very nice for me – not so for him! My husband was in London and he couldn’t come down, so we were apart.” Brenda married for the first time at aged 19 to Alan Blethyn, a graphic designer. “Apart from living in London I also have a home in Ramsgate," s She attended the investiture ceremony with her husband. Brenda then went on to have a career in television, starring in 1984 sitcom Chance In A Million alongside Simon Callow, Deddie Davies and more. So they sanitised all the rubbish and put it back in. Neither of us were going anywhere so it just presents a problem if one of us pops our clogs." Take a look into the life and career of the 76-year-old actress: At the moment, all the time I’m fit and able, I’ll be visiting Vera.” In August, 2021, Brenda spoke of how she 'bubbled up' with co-star Kenny Doughty who plays Vera's sidekick DS Aiden Healy, It's great, I love my family, we're all very close and we get on very well.
Brenda has played DCI Stanhope since the drama began, and in the new series, she will mark the 50th episode of Vera. “The six new films also include an ...
The episode will see the duo being called to a grim scene when a body is found in the back of a burnt-out car and the victim is identified as a popular local GP. Enthusiasm and opinions change. Things happen, and circumstances change. "But then I have a rest and get my appetite back again and change my mind," she added. "But if I happen to manage to come home for a few days in between filming Vera episodes he goes mad and then my husband has a merry time of it when I go away again with the dog wondering where I am. "I feel rather proud of having reached the landmark of 50 episodes, now having filmed 51 in total.
In a new interview, the actress revealed that after wrapping each season, which takes several months to film, she feels as though she can't continue shooting ...
"My dog Jack can't be with me in the north-east for all of that time. Enthusiasm and opinions change. [RadioTimes.com](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/comedy/brenda-blethyn-vera-kate-koji-big-rt-interview/) that she [didn't have "any plans" to leave](https://www.hellomagazine.com/film/20220317135669/vera-brenda-blethyn-reveals-when-series-will-end/) the show and as long as she's "fit and able", she'll continue to play the role. "Filming usually means six months away from home – and in 2022 it was the best part of ten months. Things happen, circumstances change. [Vera](https://www.hellomagazine.com/tags/whats-on-tv/) star [Brenda Blethyn](https://www.hellomagazine.com/film/20220116130950/itv-vera-star-brenda-blethyn-throwback-to-early-career/) has opened up about her future on the beloved [ITV](https://www.hellomagazine.com/tags/itv/) detective series.
Brenda Blethyn relished the opportunity to film at a Northumberland pub during production on new episodes of Vera.