Oscar-nominated star Brenda Blethyn revealed she was once rushed to the hospital while on the Vera set.
The 78-year-old, who stars as DCI Vera Stanhope in the series, revealed she suffered a medical emergency while filming an episode of the beloved programme. After a 13-year stint as the straight-talking detective DCI Stanhope, Brenda has finally retired her character's iconic trench coat and fishing hat after filming the 14th and concluding series of the popular ITV drama during the summer.
The production of the two new feature-length episodes took place across the North East, with shooting locations including Gateshead, Blyth, South Shields and Glanton. Brenda previously confessed to Vera fans that she felt "tired and Emotional" when filming concluded.
However, while filming for an episode of the show, she had a medical emergency. The star, who has Bell's palsy, suffered an episode while filming a scene for the crime drama series. Bell's palsy is a neurological disorder that causes temporary facial paralysis or weakness on one side of the face.
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ITV)"I got Bell's palsy during one episode and my face was all... I think it happened on camera," she revealed to The Sun. "The makeup artist started to notice it. What's wrong with Brenda's face? She's winking at everybody. I blink a lot but there was only one eye that was going."
The actress said her medical drama was down to "bad luck" and said it was around 'four our five years ago'. The star believes an 'ear infection' caused it and said her medical emergency was "dealt with immediately" as she was taken to the hospital "straight away".
She recently disclosed that she was brought in at the eleventh hour to 'replace' another actor in a new film, which also stars 2024 Oscar nominee and North East native, Andrea Riseborough.
Brenda initially revealed her new role on social media, but delved deeper into it during a Vera event in London last month. She joined author Ann Cleeves on stage at the Vera - End of an Era event, where she was interviewed by host Emma Kennedy. Brenda informed the captivated audience at the BFI that she received a call from her agent about the film role, and humorously added that she barely had time to unpack from her return from Newcastle before having to relocate again.
She further elaborated that, despite not anticipating a new job so soon, she was immediately convinced after reading the script for the film.
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