Viewers who have been following the on-screen action of Vera over the past few years can be forgiven for not actually recognising the series' star outside of the role.
Brenda Blethyn has made the character of dour detective Vera Stanhope very much her own over the duration of ITV1 's long-running series, the 11th of which is making its debut on ITV1 this August.
And the actress has previously told how she has become so involved with her role that she even finds herself shopping for Vera, if she spots something that she thinks the DCI would wear, and has built her character around her character's trademark sensible shoes and hat.
The detective - as written by Whitey Bay author Ann Cleeves. from whose novels the TV series is adapted - is certainly no trend-setter.
The character on the page is plain and clumsy and not the least bit interested in her appearance.
Blethyn's Vera is more attractive but still frumpy and clearly a far cry from the actress herself who is a glamorous figure off-camera - or outside of Vera anyway.
And the petite actress had to don padding and bulky clothing for her role as the sturdy sleuth.
While she and Vera tend to be seen as one and the same in the eyes of TV regulars, the actress has over the years built up a remarkable CV documenting a varied and award-winning career.
See our all-you-need-to-know guide below to the actress.
So, how old is Vera - or rather Blethyn - and where is she actually from?
Surprisingly, Blethyn - who looks years younger than her on-screen character - turned 75 on February 20, 2021.
In a response to one fan who sent a message to her on Twitter asking the secret of her youthful looks, the actress responded: "No sunbathing! Little make-up. Drink lots of water. Good genes."
Ann Cleeves' series of books do not make mention of Vera's exact age but it seems that as part of the back-story Blethyn herself has created for her character she has come up with a birthday herself. According to Cleeves, she's decided upon April 21.
She has also worked hard on mastering a believable northern accent to fit the role too but she's actually from Ramsgate in Kent. She still keeps a home there with her husband, art director Michael Mayhew, and they also have a property in south London.
Brenda Blethyn as Vera
Because she spends such a huge chunk of her time filming Vera in the North East, the actress is believed to have a flat in the region too.
She has spoken regularly of her love for the region, which she first explored on taking up the role which saw Vera debut on screen in 2011.
The series has become renowned for its use of some stunning locations and Blethyn is now as vocal as anyone about the North East's scenic attractions.
Series 10 will begin on Sunday, January 12 on ITV1 at 8pm.
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