Brenda Blethyn recalls 'losing her Vera hat' on set
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ITV’s British crime drama, Vera returned to screens in August with the first few episodes from season 11. Since its first release in 2011, the series was a huge hit with viewers, who occasionally gathered to watch the crew film while on location. However, executive producer Phil Hunter opened up about the cast keeping their distance during the pandemic.
With fans of the series often trying to spot production and occasionally gathering to watch, Phil was asked if that ever caused any problems.
The producer responded: “Pre-pandemic there were times when we’d be spotted on location and we would get an enormous number of people turning up, including families with their kids, to stand on the sidelines and watch.”
He admitted: “Brenda and the rest of the cast really value this support, the love the region’s fans have for Vera is wonderful.
“It doesn’t really cause a problem in terms of the attention it gives us, as long as the crowd stays out of shot and of course quiet during each take,” Phil explained.
He added: “Seeing people’s enthusiasm for the show is a lovely thing.”
However, since the Covid-19 pandemic, the rules and restrictions including social distancing were enforced on set when production resumed.
This included members of the public who would watch on location, Phil explained: “We have had to be a little more cautious during the pandemic.
“When running a Covid compliant shoot and filming during lockdown we couldn’t be responsible for encouraging gatherings that shouldn’t be happening,” he stated.
The producer disclosed: “Again, that’s about wanting to keep people safe. It doesn’t really cause too many problems, but we do need people to keep their distance from each other and from the unit.”
The stunning beaches and views of the town which fans see through the series are in fact the county of Northumberland.
Whereas, the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, which is where DCI Vera Stanhope’s (played by Brenda Blethyn) home is.
The actress revealed: “The exterior of Vera’s home is on Holy Island, while the interior is a set at our Wallsend studio base.”
Brenda went on to add: “The studio interior is an exact replica of what it’s really like on Lindisfarne. Sometimes when I’m on set I forget I’m not actually in Vera’s house!”
Having played Detective Vera for over 10 years, Brenda has become a household name in many homes across the country.
As fans love to watch her character take on and later solve difficult and complicated investigations.
Alongside her trusted sidekick DS Aiden Healy (Kenny Doughty) and her team at the Northumberland and City Police, Vera would use her tenacious skills and instincts to successfully crack a case.
The series is the on-screen adaptation of a series of novels written by author Ann Cleeves.
While season 11 of Vera retired to screens in August, the show is currently on a mid-season break after airing the second episode.
Although there isn’t a premiere date for the second half of season 11, fans can rest assured it will definitely return in 2022.
The delay in scheduling was due to the pandemic as the episodes which were shot in spring 2021, were scheduled for release in 2022.
Vera is available to stream on the ITV hub.
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