Brenda Blethyn has opened up about turning 80 and whether she plans to slow down, as the actress prepares to take on a major new role after stepping away from her long-running ITV drama Vera.
The beloved star, who played Detective Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope for 14 years, is returning to screens in Channel 4’s new adaptation of A Woman of Substance, portraying business mogul Emma Harte later in life.
Speaking at a screening and Q&A for the new series, Blethyn made it clear she has no plans to retire any time soon.
“I love the job. I love working,” she said.
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Brenda Blethyn recently celebrated her 80th birthday
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The actress, who recently celebrated her 80th birthday, added that reaching the milestone has not changed how she views her career.
“I don’t even think about 80 as being anything in particular. People say, ‘How does it feel?’ Well, it just feels normal.”
A Woman of Substance tells the sweeping rags-to-riches story of Emma Harte, a young kitchen maid from Yorkshire who builds a vast business empire and becomes one of the richest women in the world.
The character is played by Jessica Reynolds during her younger years, with Ms Blethyn taking on the role in later life.
Brenda Blethyn in 1997
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Ms Blethyn admitted it had been exciting to step into a brand new character after spending so long portraying Vera.
“It was nice to take the hat and mac off,” she joked.
“It was really exciting, just everything about it. All the designers and make-up artists did a wonderful job — it took a few years off me, ironed out the skin.”
She explained that after playing Vera for more than a decade, the chance to sink her teeth into a new role was something she relished.
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Brenda Blethyn played Vera for 14 years
| ITV/SHUTTERSTOCK“Because I did that for so long, it really was very nice,” she said, adding that she had filmed another project in between but was “thrilled” to be asked to join the series.
Blethyn also revealed she could personally relate to Emma’s story of overcoming hardship, explaining that her own family experienced poverty growing up.
“My mum started life as a skivvy in a big house down in Kent,” she said.
“That’s where she met my dad — he was a chauffeur.
“She used to tell me loads of stories about how hard the work was, for very little pay. When she left she would work three or four jobs a day to make ends meet.”
Reflecting on Emma’s character, Blethyn said she was drawn to the story of someone determined to rise above adversity.
“Any story about someone who triumphs over adversity is good to do,” she said.
The actress also joked that one of the reasons she has managed to sustain such a long career in the industry may simply be down to being easy to work with.
Brenda Blethyn on the set of A Woman of Substance | CHANNEL 4“I think I’m quite nice to work with,” she said.
“Who wants to work with someone horrible? You don’t.
“They could be equally talented people, but one might have halitosis, one might be a kleptomaniac, and one might turn up late. I’m none of those things. I turn up clean. I know my lines usually.”