Brenda Blethyn has teased a significant on-screen clash between her character and David Leon‘s in the final series of the popular drama, following his surprising return last year.
David was Brenda’s co-star when Vera first aired in 2011 on ITV, playing DCI Stanhope’s trusted aide, Joe Ashworth, for the first four seasons. He unexpectedly departed from the show, leaving both Brenda and fans shocked, whilst Kenny Doughty took over the role.
Although Kenny departed the show in 2023, opening the door for David to return. After Kennys departure Brenda admitted at a London event that she would have quit if another sidekick had been introduced, reports the Mirror.
The character returned earlier this year in the 13th series, informing his former colleagues at Northumberland and City Police that he was there to ‘observe’ them, following concerns over flaws in their investigative methods.
By the end of the series, David’s character had resumed his position as Vera’s right-hand man, whilst dealing with personal issues due to his father’s terminal illness.
Brenda has suggested that Joe’s downward spiral and his aggressive behaviour toward Vera in the final series are a result of his father’s death. She shared insight into their troubled relationship, saying: “In the first episode she suspects Joe is not coping with the death of his father and it becomes a bit of an issue, it’s fair to say.”
She continued: “There’s something up with Joe at the start of this series. He’s dragging his feet. Vera obviously has a soft spot for Joe. But she doesn’t carry people. Everyone has to pull their weight. And if there is something up, say what it is.
“We filmed a scene involving Vera and Joe on the St Mary’s Island causeway near Whitley Bay which is quite the exchange of words. There’s a history between them. In the very first episode of Vera, Joe scattered her father Hector’s ashes. It had a real impact on Vera.”
She added: “I love working with David. He only left after series four to pursue writing and directing, and no sooner had he done so that his film won an award at the Tribeca Film Festival. But he did return to direct an episode of Vera, Black Ice, series 8 episode 2.”
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ITV will premiere the final series of Vera on January 1, with the conclusion airing the following day.
Aa well as a special commemorative episode, Vera: Farewell Pet, which will air on Friday, January 3.
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