For a dozen years now, Brenda, 76, has been stomping around Northumberland as redoubtable sleuth DCI Vera Stanhope.
‘Each time is recommissioned, it’s a thrill,’ the actor says. ‘It’s like having a family away from home. A lot of the crew are local and they’re very loyal to.’ Making the commitment more onerous, however, is that filming four episodes of the ITV1 crime show a year (this year’s run has included two episodes left over from last year) keeps Brenda away from
