Vera: DCI Stanhope meets the new pathologist
Vera’s Christmas special will see the exits of two beloved characters, but leading lady Brenda Blethyn confirmed the episode will see the arrival of newcomer PC Billy Billington, played by Jake Ashton-Nelson. Viewers will also watch Aiden Healy (played by Kenny Doughty) and Jac Williams (Ibinabo Jack) play out their final scenes.
Vera: The Rising Tide will air later this month and will see DCI Stanhope and the team solving another mysterious murder. This new episode takes the detective on a chilling investigation as she finds herself drawn to the enchanting tidal island of Lindisfarne, where a group of lifelong friends reunites every five years to commemorate their enduring bond.
What began as a joyous tradition turns sad when one of the friends is discovered dead. The tragic death takes a disturbing turn when Vera uncovers that the victim had recently been fired amidst allegations of misconduct. Determined to unearth the truth, she delves into the past, questioning the events that transpired during their first reunion on Holy Island.
However, speaking in a new interview, Brenda opened up about what it was like filming her last scenes with her sidekick Kenny. She also discussed how Vera reacts to a new police officer joining their close-knit team.
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Speaking about the show’s newcomer, the actress began: “Jake is terrific in this. He played an officer on the police station front desk in a previous episode.
“Somebody had come in to report something but he thought they were time-wasting and sent them away. Vera really tore him off a strip for that.
“She told him to listen to what people had to say as it threw a spanner in the works for solving that particular case.
“So we come to this episode and Billy has put in for secondment to CID. Vera is going to give him a chance but he exasperates her. He’s very funny.
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“Vera is his boss but there’s also an element of mothering in her relationship with Billy. She tries to guide him in the right direction but gives him a hard time.”
She added: “Mind you, Vera gives all of her team a hard time!”
Earlier this year, Kenny announced he had made the difficult decision to leave his role as Aiden Healy.
When addressing what it was like saying goodbye to her co-star and friend, Brenda went on: “I was sad when he said he was leaving. He’s my mate. We had filmed eight series together. I’ve never laughed so hard as I did with Kenny Doughty.
“Vera and Aiden became very close over the years. It’s not surprising because she spent most of her time with him at work. And it was a good working relationship between the two characters as well as liking each other.
“Kenny and I kept each other company between scenes during long days, weeks and months of filming. As well as at weekends because we were both working away from home.
“It’s total commitment. Kenny was also my neighbour in the apartments where I stay during filming. I’ll miss him and wish him well.”
Vera: The Rising Tide will air later this month on ITV.
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