SPREAD TOO THYN
Vera legend Brenda Blethyn lands huge movie role – and it could spell disaster for fans of ITV show
She will share the screen with beloved stars like Karen Gillan and Jim Broadbent
VERA legend Brenda Blethyn has been cast in the upcoming period comedy Fools, but the movie’s filming schedule could disrupt the fan-favourite ITV show.
Series 13 of Vera premiered in January, and fans now have a long wait as ITV confirmed new episodes won’t be coming until 2025 at the earliest.
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The news of Brenda’s new movie role has sparked concerns that there could be another significant delay coming.
What is Fools about?
Vera star Brenda Blethyn will share the screen with Guardians Of The Galaxy alum Karen Gillan in the period comedy Fools.
The movie follows Karen’s character Mary Tudor and depicts a little-known story about the 16th-century English Queen and her friendship with her female court jester Jane (played by Patsy Ferran). Usually humourless, Mary finds Jane’s slapstick routines hilariously funny, and they strike up a genuine friendship.
Mary, who is the older half-sister of Elizabeth I, inherited the throne from her father Henry VIII in 1553.
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Henry VIII’s death has left the nations divided and the ambitions Cardinal Pole (played by Jim Broadbent) is plotting to usurp the throne from Mary. However, he has overlooked Jane, who “becomes an unlikely stumbling block.”
Brenda’s role in the series is yet to be announced, but the 77-year-old Oscar nominee has an impressive track record on the big screen.
Shear earned a Bafta for her work in Mike Leigh’s Secrets And Lies and was nominated for another for Pride And Prejudice.
The Vera star also claimed a Golden Globe for Secrets and Lies.
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Fools is written by triple Emmy Award-winner Guy Jenkin who is best known for his work in sitcoms like Outnumbered. He will also direct the feature.
Guy said: “I am thrilled to be working with such a supremely talented core group of actors on Fools.
“Fools will turn the conventions of a historical film inside-out, and promises to be subversive, striking and very funny.”
Who is starring in Fools?
Who will the Vera actress co-star alongside?
- Karen Gillan as Mary Tudor.
- Jim Broadbent as Cardinal Pole.
- Patsy Ferran as Jane Foole.
- Brenda Blethyn's character is yet to be revealed.
How will Brenda’s role in Fools affect Vera?
Fools is currently in pre-production, but its filming schedule could cause a clash with Vera, or push back production on the series.
The ITV series is currently expected to start filming in the spring, but it’s not yet known if this will be pushed back to accommodate the period comedy.
Following the premiere of series 13 in January, Vera fans were thrilled to learn the show would be returning.
However, there will be another long delay between seasons. Additionally, the new series will consist of only two episodes, which has been reduced from three episodes in series 13, and four episodes in series before that, making it the shortest series in the show’s history.
Fans of the detective drama are praying Brenda's movie role won't affect Vera and are hoping to see the new series on screens as quickly as possible.
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"I can't wait for series 14," one fan said on X, formerly Twitter.
"I need Vera to continue," said another.
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