Latest news with #Vera
Daily Mirror
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Vera confirms Brenda Blethyn's unexpected return to screens after exit
Vera star Brenda Blethyn will be making an unexpected return to screens on Sunday night Fans of ITV's hit drama Vera can look forward to a Sunday night treat as Brenda Blethyn makes an unexpected return when the series airs a repeat. The second episode of Vera's twelfth series will be showcased on ITV at 8pm, with viewers set to reunite with Brenda's character, DCI Stanhope, and her right-hand man, Aiden Healy, played by Kenny Doughty. The storyline for this instalment centres on Lance Corporal Conn Burns, who has struggled to adjust to civilian life and ended up destitute on the streets of Newcastle, but who is determined to turn his fortunes around. According to the episode synopsis: "Adapting to civilian life was not easy for Lance Corporal Conn Burns, and after a series of bad life choices, he found himself desolate, down and out on the streets of Newcastle." It continues: "Attempting to get his life back on track, Conn had recently been making moves that would see him repay old debts, rebuild relationships, and get him off the streets," reports Wales Online. As the tale unfolds, DCI Stanhope is brought into the investigation following the shocking discovery of Burns' body, which leads to revelations of secrets from his past and current betrayals. Brenda acknowledged earlier in the year that she was ready to retire her iconic hat and coat for good. While acknowledging how hard it was to step away, Brenda shared her desire to reduce time spent apart from her loved ones. Speaking at a Q&A, she disclosed: "It was a big decision because I love the job, I love the people I was working with, and I know they loved it too, so it was a little bit of an emotional responsibility as well because if I stop, it's going to stop. "I saw on the catering list one day, just on a typical day, there were 76 people, so that's all those people. I console myself with the fact that there's a big studio opening in Sunderland next yea,r so there will be lots of jobs available." She continued: "I was aware that people who would like to continue on it wouldn't be able to and that made me feel sad but as much as I like my Newcastle family, I have a family at home and I hadn't had a summer for 14 years and I thought, 'Bren, go and have a summer. Go home'. So it was a difficult decision." Brenda's exit was not the only one to tug at viewers' heartstrings, as Kenny Doughty announced his own departure from the series in 2023. In the fifth instalment of the ITV drama, Aiden stepped in to fill the shoes left by Vera's original partner, Joe Ashworth (David Leon). Yet, come spring 2023, he shared his "difficult decision" to depart. His heartfelt thanks were shared on Instagram: "I want to thank everyone who's made this amazing time so joyous, ITV, Silverprint, all the brilliant cast and crew BUT of course my buddy and inspiration Brenda Blethyn. The perfect leading star who I owe so much to. I feel lucky to have you as a friend, you make me howl with laughter and have been a rock for me over the years. I can't thank you enough. Precious times." He ended his touching tribute by expressing gratitude to the show's loyal following, saying: "And finally, the Vera fans: without you and your support, I would never have made so many films. You really are the best fans in the world. Thank you so much for your loyalty and love for the show." After Kenny Doughty's exit, David Leon reprised his role as Joe on Vera until the series concluded. Vera airs at 8pm on Sunday on ITV.
Wales Online
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Vera's Brenda Blethyn makes unexpected return to screens with co-star
Vera's Brenda Blethyn makes unexpected return to screens with co-star Vera fans were left heartbroken when the ITV series came to an end earlier this year Vera star Brenda Blethyn will unexpectedly return to screens on Sunday night when a repeat of the ITV drama airs. Episode two of series 12 of Vera will be broadcast on ITV at 8pm, and fans will be thrilled to see Brenda as DCI Stanhope and her sidekick Aiden Healy (Kenny Doughty) back on screens. The synopsis for the episode reads: "Adapting to civilian life was not easy for Lance Corporal Conn Burns, and after a series of bad life choices, he found himself desolate, down and out on the streets of Newcastle. "Attempting to get his life back on track, Conn had recently been making moves that would see him repay old debts, rebuild relationships, and get him off the streets. "DCI Stanhope is called in after the body of Burns is discovered, and unearths secrets from his past and betrayal in the present." Kenny Doughty and Brenda Blethyn (Image: ITV ) Article continues below This Morning host fights tears as Grenfell survivor speaks on losing unborn baby READ MORE: Earlier this year, Brenda confirmed she would be hanging up her iconic hat and coat for the final time. While admitting it was a difficult decision, the actress said she wanted to spend less time away from her family. She explained at a Q&A event in London: "It was a big decision because I love the job, I love the people I was working with and I know they loved it too so it was a little bit of an emotional responsibility as well because if I stop, it's going to stop. "I saw on the catering list one day, just on a typical day there were 76 people, so that's all those people. I console myself with the fact that there's a big studio opening in Sunderland next year so there will be lots of jobs available." Vera will return to screens on Sunday (Image: ITV ) She added: "I was aware that people who would like to continue on it wouldn't be able to and that made me feel sad but as much as I like my Newcastle family, I have a family at home and I hadn't had a summer for 14 years and I thought, 'Bren, go and have a summer. Go home'. So it was a difficult decision." Brenda's departure wasn't the only one to leave fans heartbroken, as Kenny Doughty confirmed he was leaving the series in 2023. In the fifth series of the ITV drama, Aiden initially replaced Vera's original sidekick, Joe Ashworth (David Leon). Aiden Healy left Vera in 2023 (Image: ITV ) However, in spring 2023, he confirmed his "difficult decision" to leave. On Instagram, he expressed his gratitude, saying: "I want to thank everyone who's made this amazing time so joyous, ITV, Silverprint, all the brilliant cast and crew BUT of course my buddy and inspiration Brenda Blethyn. The perfect leading star who I owe so much to. I feel lucky to have you as a friend, you make me howl with laughter and have been a rock for me over the years. I can't thank you enough. Precious times." He concluded his heartfelt message with a nod to the show's dedicated audience: "And finally, the Vera fans: without you and your support, I would never have made so many films. You really are the best fans in the world. Thank you so much for your loyalty and love for the show." David Leon returned to Vera following Kenny's departure to play Joe until the series came to an end. Article continues below Vera is available to watch on ITVX.
The Age
a day ago
- The Age
Lismore pranksters were exhausting
Here's a plug from Daryl Jordan of Denistone: 'Double bungers (C8) and the like in letter boxes and amateur rockets were child's play compared with a potato plugged into the exhaust pipe of a bus. I vividly remember a galvanised iron fence around part of Oakes Oval in Lismore where buses were required to park rear to kerb. The 'dimples' in the fence were testament to the velocity at which the spuds were expelled on engine start. I don't know if any miscreants were injured, or caught, but the potential for injury was not insignificant. I'm sure it was, however, entertaining!' Mary Carde of Parrearra (Qld) admits that 'putting a cap on faux firearms has triggered thoughts of the bad old days when westerns were all the rage. I guess I've been flogging a dead horse, but I've spent nearly a lifetime wondering: if they could come up with Silver for the name of his horse, why in the dickens couldn't they come up with a name for the Lone Ranger?' Readers really are carving up the headstone discussion (C8), but few are on a par with Roger Harvey of Balgowlah who says 'My mum was an excellent golfer, even winning her club's championship in her 60s. We buried her in Berwick Cemetery's lawn section, and abided her instructions for just name, years and three words. REPLACE YOUR DIVOTS.' By far, the most arcane offering came from Ross Storey of Normanhurst who went for WAS NEVER TEMPTED TO RUN IN THE CITY TO SURF. 'Gail Grogan's headstone will read NEXT TIME I'M GETTING IT RIGHT,' notes Anne McCarthy of Marrickville. 'A minor change could make it NEXT TIME I'M GETTING MR RIGHT.' Andrew Taubman of Queens Park reports that 'With the venerable Vera coming to an end, I hear they're working on a prequel set during WWII, called Aloe Aloe.' There could be a good yarn in the case of the mystery chicken reported by Bob Selinger (C8). Kenneth Smith of Orange sees a true crime account in the offing: 'Who knows? It might win the Pullet Surprise.' Allan George of Macquarie (ACT) can help with George Manojlovic's rhyming 'problem with the duck' (C8) when he explains, 'He will be Jake, 'cos he's a drake.' However, Warren Menteith of Bali warns, 'Darryl and the Hey Hey crew are after you, George. Plucka is devastated you didn't acknowledge him.' No attachments, please.
Sydney Morning Herald
a day ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Lismore pranksters were exhausting
Here's a plug from Daryl Jordan of Denistone: 'Double bungers (C8) and the like in letter boxes and amateur rockets were child's play compared with a potato plugged into the exhaust pipe of a bus. I vividly remember a galvanised iron fence around part of Oakes Oval in Lismore where buses were required to park rear to kerb. The 'dimples' in the fence were testament to the velocity at which the spuds were expelled on engine start. I don't know if any miscreants were injured, or caught, but the potential for injury was not insignificant. I'm sure it was, however, entertaining!' Mary Carde of Parrearra (Qld) admits that 'putting a cap on faux firearms has triggered thoughts of the bad old days when westerns were all the rage. I guess I've been flogging a dead horse, but I've spent nearly a lifetime wondering: if they could come up with Silver for the name of his horse, why in the dickens couldn't they come up with a name for the Lone Ranger?' Readers really are carving up the headstone discussion (C8), but few are on a par with Roger Harvey of Balgowlah who says 'My mum was an excellent golfer, even winning her club's championship in her 60s. We buried her in Berwick Cemetery's lawn section, and abided her instructions for just name, years and three words. REPLACE YOUR DIVOTS.' By far, the most arcane offering came from Ross Storey of Normanhurst who went for WAS NEVER TEMPTED TO RUN IN THE CITY TO SURF. 'Gail Grogan's headstone will read NEXT TIME I'M GETTING IT RIGHT,' notes Anne McCarthy of Marrickville. 'A minor change could make it NEXT TIME I'M GETTING MR RIGHT.' Andrew Taubman of Queens Park reports that 'With the venerable Vera coming to an end, I hear they're working on a prequel set during WWII, called Aloe Aloe.' There could be a good yarn in the case of the mystery chicken reported by Bob Selinger (C8). Kenneth Smith of Orange sees a true crime account in the offing: 'Who knows? It might win the Pullet Surprise.' Allan George of Macquarie (ACT) can help with George Manojlovic's rhyming 'problem with the duck' (C8) when he explains, 'He will be Jake, 'cos he's a drake.' However, Warren Menteith of Bali warns, 'Darryl and the Hey Hey crew are after you, George. Plucka is devastated you didn't acknowledge him.' No attachments, please.
Scotsman
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Theatre reviews: Just Between Ourselves
Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Just Between Ourselves, Perth Theatre ★★★★ EH7, Craigentinny Community Centre, Edinburgh ★★★ At what point does a play cease to be contemporary, and become a costume drama? Alan Ayckbourn's great plays of the 1970s are now teetering on the edge of social history; and his disturbing 1976 piece Just Between Ourselves, which has just paid a brief visit to Scotland in a new production by London Classic Theatre, is no exception. Tom Richardson as Dennis, Joseph Clowser as Neil in Just Between Ourselves The play is set in the garage attached to the suburban house of a couple called Dennis and Vera; and it takes its place in a powerful strand of Ayckbourn plays about women driven to depression or suicide by the tension between the continuing patriarchal attitudes of the men in their lives, and their inner sense, well developed by the 1970s, that they should be men's equals, and able to strive for some kind of self-fulfilment. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In Just Between Ourselves, the woman almost out of her mind is Vera, who is around 40, and both childless and jobless. She suffers from mental health problems – anxiety, depression – and is bullied and patronised not only by the jocular Dennis, but by his doting mother Marjorie, who lives with them. And when she and Dennis strike up a new friendship with neighbouring couple Neil and Pam, the dysfunctional quality of their marriage becomes ever more glaringly visible, while Pam's explicit fury about what marriage and motherhood has done to her life provides a powerful contrast to Vera's ever-deepening silence. Sign up to our FREE Arts & Culture newsletter at The story – played out over a year – therefore offers plenty that seems both contemporary and familiar, and also much that now seems almost inexplicable, including the idea that Vera would simply give up her work on marriage, and that Dennis could easily afford for her to do so. Beyond the portrait of a society in transition that features in all Ayckbourn's 1970s plays, though, Just Between Ourselves offers, in the character of Dennis as reinforced by his mother, an all too recognisable study of self-satisfaction and insensitivity raised almost to an art-form. In that sense, Ayckbourn's play remains a ruthless and ultimately frightening work of art; and if Michael Cabot's 25th anniversary production for LCT finally lets it drift off into silence without delivering the final punch it should, it nonetheless features a memorable quintet of performances from a powerful cast, led by Tom Richardson as the appalling Dennis, Holly Smith as Vera, and Helen Phillips as Pam, harbinger of a future when women at last have more power to walk away from destructive relationships, before it is too late. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Mairi Jayne Weir as St Triduana in EH7 The changing lives of women also featured, in the latest show from Citadel Arts of Leith, a community and professional company that specialises in local history, and the memories of older citizens. EH7 is a fine and satisfying 90-minute show about that often overlooked chunk of Edinburgh that stretches east from Leith Walk without ever quite becoming Leith or Portobello; Lochend, Craigentinny and Restalrig. With scenes created by seven local writers, Mark Kydd's deft production therefore proceeds in eight scenes, moving from the Norman Conquest through tales of the hot air balloonist James Tytler, the doomed illusionist The Great Lafayette, the strange 16th century trial for treason of local aristocrat Sir Robert Logan, and the women workers at the local Munrospun knitwear factory. All this is neatly threaded onto the story of Magnus Byrne's charismatic young Rory, a contemporary student researching local history, and discussing it with his grandad, delightfully played by stage veteran James Bryce. Themes include not only the changing lot of women, but immigration, the abuse of power, and the need to understand and cherish those who don't conform to sexual norms. And through it all is laced the founding myth of Saint Triduana; a saint beautifully played by Mairi Jayne Weir as a voice of love and compassion through the ages, and one whose well still sits in the shadow of St. Margaret's Parish Church, Restalrig.
