Vera's Brenda Blethyn took on new role just days after ITV show finale

has disclosed that there was just a few week's gap between her wrapping up her final scenes in and embarking on a new role in a film with an Oscar nominee.

The esteemed actress humorously remarked that she 'hadn't even unpacked' before having to relocate for a different project.

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 and her fellow actors attracted quite a crowd wherever they filmed. Brenda confessed to Vera enthusiasts that she felt "tired and Emotional" when filming concluded. However, this didn't deter her from diving headfirst into another venture.

She recently revealed 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, reports .

Brenda initially revealed her new role on social media, but elaborated further during a Vera event in London earlier this week. She joined author Ann Cleeves on stage for an interview with host Emma Kennedy at Vera - End of an Era.

Brenda informed the engrossed audience at the BFI that she received a call from her agent about the film role, humorously adding that she barely had time to unpack from her return from Newcastle before having to relocate again.

She went on to say that, despite not anticipating a new job so quickly, she was immediately convinced after reading the script for the film. Brenda believes the film will ultimately be titled Dragonfly, despite its name having been changed several times already.

It comes as Brenda publicly 'ruled out' a potential Vera spin-off with one of her most popular co-stars, after producers come under more pressure to continue the drama, ahead of it coming to an end.

Emma Kennedy suggested a spin off series with Vera and colleague Kenny Lockhart, given the love/hate relationship their characters appear to have in the drama.

However Brenda recently said: "I don't think he can stand her!" before clarifying that, while Vera and Kenny often rub each other up the wrong way in the show, she and John have a great relationship, adding that he was a great person to have on set.