Acclaimed actress Brenda Blethyn has firmly dismissed any notions of retirement as she approaches her landmark 80th birthday next month, instead focusing on her exciting new television project and reflecting on her iconic career that has spanned over four decades.
From Vera to Victorian Drama: A New Chapter Begins
The beloved star, who captivated audiences for fourteen years as DCI Vera Stanhope before concluding the role in 2024, is now preparing for a major Channel 4 period drama scheduled to premiere in March. A Woman of Substance represents a significant departure from her detective character, with Blethyn portraying Emma Harte, a housemaid-turned-mogul in Yorkshire who becomes the world's richest woman and a feminist icon.
"After Vera, playing this role was a bit of a rags to riches tale for me, too," Blethyn revealed in an exclusive interview with Prima magazine. "They're both strong women, but they're very different kettles of fish. It was lovely to dress up in nice clothes for a change. The outfits were exquisite and very different to Vera's wardrobe, although a lot of her costumes were actually rather nice, it was just the way she wore them."
No Retirement in Sight Despite Milestone Birthday
When asked about potential retirement plans as she nears her 80th birthday, Blethyn was unequivocal in her response. "I'm lucky to have been working all this time," she stated. "In fact, when I was 65, I was thinking, 'Do I retire now? Maybe that's what I'm supposed to do?' And then Vera came along. Now I'm nearly 80 and I'm not thinking about retiring at all – though perhaps I will cut back a bit and spend more time at home."
The actress, who made her television debut in Mike Leigh's Grown Ups in 1980, credits her working-class background with keeping her grounded throughout her successful career. Growing up as the youngest of nine children in Ramsgate, Kent, with a mother who worked as a maid and a father who was a mechanic, Blethyn understands hardship intimately.
"I grew up as one of nine children and I know what hardship is, so this story resonated with me," she explained about her connection to A Woman of Substance. "I thought about them a lot when we were making the series. My parents didn't have two ha'pennys to rub together. Dad was a chauffeur for this big rich family and my mum worked in service in the house – she progressed from skivvy in the kitchen – just as young Emma did – to become a lady's maid."
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and Industry Challenges
Despite her numerous accolades, including an Oscar nomination for Mike Leigh's Secrets and Lies, Blethyn confessed to battling imposter syndrome throughout her career. "I regret that I didn't speak up more, for fear of being ridiculed," she admitted. "I suppose I'm someone with imposter syndrome. I'm not as bad as I was, but I certainly had it when I was younger, and I wish I'd kicked that into touch."
Her journey to acting was unconventional, beginning with office work at a bank and British Rail before an amateur dramatics society gave her an opportunity when they found themselves short of an actress before a competition. This led to formal training at the Guildford School of Acting and eventually joining the Royal National Theatre in the mid-1970s.
Reflections on Vera and Lasting Legacy
While embracing her new role, Blethyn remains fond of her iconic detective character that defined her career for over a decade. "I miss the assuredness I had with Vera," she reflected. "I'd been doing it for so long, and I knew the character better than any visitors coming in or any guest writers who'd sometimes get something wrong because they hadn't seen the previous scenarios. I don't mind still talking about Vera because I'm rather proud of her."
The actress also revealed she has kept several of Vera's blouses as mementos from her time on the popular ITV series, which ran for 14 seasons following its initial pilot episode fifteen years ago.
Staying Grounded Amidst Critical Commentary
Blethyn maintains a remarkably grounded perspective about her appearance in roles, particularly when facing criticism about aging on screen. Responding to a review that commented on her appearance in recent drama Dragonfly, she said: "They couldn't have paid me a better compliment. I never, ever think about how I look for a part. When I made Secrets & Lies, someone said, 'How do you feel when you see yourself looking so awful on the screen?' I said, 'Well, I don't see me. I see her.'"
As she prepares for the launch of A Woman of Substance on Channel 4 next month, Brenda Blethyn continues to demonstrate that age is no barrier to artistic achievement and career reinvention, proving that some actors only improve with time and experience.
