Vera, Farewell Pet

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2024

Documentary
Arts and culture

Summary

Documentary going behind the scenes to examine the appeal of ITV detective drama Vera as it comes to an end after 13 years. Brenda Blethyn reflects on her time as DCI Vera Stanhope, and talks about the camaraderie and joy of working on the show. Featuring interviews from key cast members - David Leon (DS Joe Ashworth), Jon Morrison (DC Kenny Lockhart), the directors, crew, and author Ann Cleeves, Vera's creator

Review

David Brown

When she debuted on TV in 2011, it felt as though Vera, with her ragged wardrobe, was a replacement for David Jason’s Frost, who’d made his exit the previous year. But actor Brenda Blethyn has become one of ITV’s most bankable stars and Vera a beloved character in her own right.

DCI Stanhope is, in many ways, the classic misfit detective; her mud-spattered Land Rover at odds with the slick image her superiors are hoping to project, that informality in the interrogation room running counter to the rulebook. But Vera’s warmth is a rare quality, and it’s one that viewers gravitate towards. So much so that I can’t help but feel that this documentary retrospective won’t really be case closed.

Actor Brenda Blethyn hangs up Vera’s hat and mac With Inspector Morse prequel Endeavour having been a success, might there also be scope here to fill in Vera’s backstory and reveal more about the dysfunctional relationship she and her dad endured? There’s certainly plenty of scope, for even at the end, Vera remains an enigma wrapped in a tatty mac.

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rolenameParticipantBrenda BlethynParticipantDavid LeonParticipantJon MorrisonParticipantRiley JonesParticipantAnn CleevesNarratorJill HalfpennyProducerIwan RobertsDirectorIwan RobertsExecutive producerMike Blair

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