Brenda Blethyn is spotted filming new series of Vera
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Brenda Blethyn is most known for her iconic role in the ITV crime investigative series, Vera, where she and her sidekick Aiden Healy (played by Kenny Doughty) hope to solve the crimes set in the Northumbrian countryside. Because the series is filmed up north, it was vital for Vera to have an accent which matched her surroundings and where she lived on the show. Brenda has opened up about the challenges she faced when trying to learn the accent.
Speaking to James Whale on his podcast, The James Whale Show, Brenda was asked about her skills in refining the Geordie accent.
When taking questions from fans, James began: “Tim asks ‘Where has Vera’s lovely Geordie accent gone?’.”
She laughed at the question and quipped: “I am glad you approve of it to start with.'”
James continued: “It is a great accent, it is a very difficult accent to do.”
Brenda explained: “It is, and I think the tendency is to over-do it, I have hardly got an accent at all.”
This isn’t the first time that Brenda has opened up about the struggles she’s had with the accent, as previously she admitted that writer Ann Cleeves thought her accent was “off”.
She explained: “I was quaking in my shoes when I heard Ann was going to be at the first readthrough.
“Ann thought my accent was a bit off, but it got better the less nervous I got. And so, by the end of the readthrough, she was happy.
“Vera’s accent was inspired by the soft, musical lilt of Denise Robertson, the late TV agony aunt from ITV’s This Morning,” she told Radio Times.
She went on to explain that the accent was a toned-down version of what Ann’s vision was due to the nature of the complicated storylines.
Brenda continued: “It couldn’t be strong because if you miss anything, you’ll lose track of the plot.
“Any criticism that I get is generally from southerners who expect a broader accent. In fact, some locals think I’m a Geordie, which is a great compliment.”
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She has also told the story of when a taxi driver made her day after he was convinced she was a true northern lady.
“My driver once got into a row with a taxi driver who was convinced I was a northern lass.
“When my driver told him I wasn’t, this fella didn’t believe him.”
Viewers are still patiently waiting for the last two episodes from series 11 to be aired, after the coronavirus lockdown had an impact on filming.
Fans have been treated to the news that filming for series 12 has already begun and is set to see Brenda back in Vera’s iconic coat and hat.
Northumbria Police’s official Twitter page shared a rare behind-the-scenes image with the caption: “PC Steve West was out on patrol when he spotted a familiar face in #Blyth.
“None other than Brenda Blethyn, the actress who plays famous TV detective Vera, stopped for a photo & a chat.
“If you want to make your fave TV show a reality then visit our careers page today.”
Vera series 1-11 is available to watch on ITV Hub.
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