Brenda Blethyn has been put on the spot on her future as Vera as filming gets going on the new series of the popular crime drama.
BAFTA winner and Oscar nominee Brenda has now been playing the no nonsense TV sleuth for over a decade, after ITV adapted the books from author Ann Cleeves.
Vera has proved to be a consistent ratings winner for the broadcaster, with it also being a regular winner at the North East awards handed out by the Royal Television Society.
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While the rest of Vera series 11 remains in limbo, after it was pulled from schedules with two episodes still remaining and ITV remaining tight-lipped on when it will be back, production has now started on the next run.
Ann let slip earlier this week that Brenda, her Vera co-stars and crew had arrived in Northumberland to start filming.
And, as she returns to the heart of the action, leading lady Brenda has spoken out about the prospect of ever leaving her iconic TV role.
Speaking to Radio Times this week, the 76-year-old said: "I haven’t got any plans to [leave]. At the moment, all the time I’m fit and able, I’ll be visiting Vera.”
Brenda was back on screen in another ITV show on Wednesday night, as comedy Kate and Koji returned for a second series.
Watching it, one viewer tweeted: "Great to see Brenda Blethyn in a different light," with a second reacting: "Catching up on the new #kateandkoji from last night!! Just what we need right now, a bit of fun and a good laugh!!"
