Apr 16, 2022 12:51 p.m
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Updated:
Apr 16, 2022 1:43 p.m
Filming is underway for Vera’s new series and fans can’t wait to see Brenda Blethyn’s titular character back in action.
The cozy crime drama is a jewel in ITV’s crown, but the road to stardom isn’t paved with gold for the award-winning actress.
Brenda, 76, who was made an OBE in 2003, was heartbroken when her marriage to her first husband, Alan, fell apart.
The star revealed that he’s “befriended a beautiful neighbor” who “announced at the pub one night that she was in love with my husband.”
The actress told the Daily Mail in 2013 that she “didn’t immediately take her comment seriously”.
Brenda Blethyn was “devastated” when her first marriage fell apart (Credit: This Morning YouTube)
“I was devastated”
Brenda continued, “But I asked her over and said, ‘If I wasn’t there, would you and Alan be together?’ She replied: ‘Yes.’ I was devastated.”
Beloved Thesp explained she’s moved in with her brother and his wife, adding that despite the devastation, Alan gave her the proceeds from the home the couple shared so she could go to drama school.
Brenda starred in the show at the Guildford School of Acting and has been nominated for numerous awards including an Oscar, BAFTA and Golden Globe.
Vera actress Brenda Blethyn as DCI Vera Stanhope (Credit: ITV)
Stroke of luck
Looking back on her illustrious career, the actress recalled the time when it all began when she was asked to play the maid in an Amdram production when she was working at British Rail.
“I think back to that day in Euston often – if I hadn’t made that good turn, I might not be doing it today,” she mused.
Brenda and Okorie Chukwu in Kate and Koji (Credit: ITV)
Who is Brenda Blethyn’s current husband?
Brenda met her partner, National Theater art director Michael Mayhew, in 1975.
The couple married in 2010.
The actress, who also stars in ITV’s Kate and Koji, previously joked she doesn’t know why they are together as they have “nothing in common” apart from their sense of humour.
The couple were engaged for 35 years before tying the knot in 2010, a year before Brenda landed the role of DCI Vera Stanhope.
Discussing the couple’s decision to get married after so many years, the actress admitted that while she was driven by “pragmatism,” she “felt nice to be married.”
Vera is on ITV on Saturday at 1.10pm
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