The mind-boggling reason Vera star Brenda Blethyn wears a hat in every single episode
VERA star Brenda Blethyn has finally revealed the reason why the protagonist is never without her hat.
The actress, 75, who has played protagonist DCI Vera Stanhope in the ITV series since 2011, has now revealed the touching detail which hasn't gone unnoticed by loyal fans.
Talking on This Morning, she explained: "In the book Vera has a skin condition which means it's hard for her to go in the sun, she has a bad reaction to the sun.”
She added the character's frequent choice of a wide-rimmed hat was a "nod" to the condition contained within Ann Cleeve's book.
Brenda added: “We weren't going to put that (the details) on the telly, so the hat is a nod to that.”
In a separate interview, the actress confessed to having sought the now-iconic prop herself.
She added: “I bought it [the hat] in a fishing tackle shop in Newcastle."
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The series is in fact based on numerous novels by author Ann.
The opening tome, named The Crow Trap, kicks off the detective's work in Northumberland.
The initial book is followed by second release Telling Tales, while Hidden Depths was the third in the literary series.
Many more followed, and have been represented in the TV adaptation.
VERA'S FATE
Brenda recently confirmed the fate of the long-running crime drama after episodes were pulled off air.
Last month fans were left fuming after the show was put on pause AGAIN after only two weeks of new episodes.
One viewer took to Twitter to ask the star when the programme will be making an epic return to our screens - and luckily it won't be much longer.
Brenda simply replied: "Start filming again in March."
It's good news after Vera fans were livid after it was revealed the final two episodes of the season have been delayed.
The eleventh series premiered on 29 August 2021, which was shortly followed by the second episode the following week.
But the drama's return was short-lived as it was delayed due to scenes still being filmed.
After Vera was delayed in September 2021, ITV confirmed it would resume in 2022, and although they kept to their promise, filming has been stopped again.
Episode three - named Tyger Tyger - aired on 9 January 2021, and episode four - named As The Crow Flies - premiered a week later.
Savvy fans figured out the show was delayed yet again after taking a quick glimpse at the TV guide.
Vera's usual Sunday slot of 8pm-10pm has been replaced by both The Good Karma Hospital at 8pm and Trigger Point at 9pm.
Furious fans took straight to Twitter to air their frustrations.
One was "annoyed" at ITV over their scheduling choices: "getting annoyed at itv for taking vera off for the karma hospital...i know which one i prefer to watch"
Another questioned what was going on: "@ITV what’s happened to Vera why put a series back on for 2 episodes and stop it to put another new series on"
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Plenty asked the channel for some information regarding its return date: "Gutted to realise #Vera is over again, when is it coming back @ITV ?"
Sadly for fans, ITV hasn't given any indication as to when Vera will be returning to our screens for episodes five and six.
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