Vera star Brenda Blethyn has opened up about her unconventional living situation with husband Michael Mayhew, revealing they now reside in separate flats within the same building after five decades together. The 79-year-old actress remains remarkably upbeat about the arrangement, which she attributes to their differing temperature preferences.
A Practical Solution to Domestic Disagreements
In a candid interview with Prima Magazine, Blethyn explained that the couple's decision stems from their contrasting comfort levels. 'My husband and I have taken the flat beneath ours as he's always cold, I'm always hot,' she shared. 'I'd say, "Oh, I'm going to open a window," and he'd say "Oh, no, don't do that, turn the heat on," so we needed a bigger place.'
The actress, who married art director Michael Mayhew in 2010 after beginning their relationship in 1975, emphasized this is a temporary solution while they search for a more suitable home together. 'I'm hearing more and more of couples adopting that way of living permanently, but, for us, it will be readjusted once we find somewhere appropriate,' she noted.
Career Continues to Thrive
Despite recently bidding farewell to her long-running role as DCI Vera Stanhope in ITV's hit series, Blethyn shows no signs of slowing down professionally. The actress revealed she has no retirement plans even as she approaches her 80th birthday.
'I'm lucky to have been working all this time,' she reflected. 'In fact, when I was 65, I was thinking, "Do I retire now? Maybe that's what I'm supposed to do?" And then Vera came along. Now I'm nearly 80 and I'm not thinking about retiring at all – though perhaps I will cut back a bit and spend more time at home.'
New Acting Challenges
Blethyn has since transitioned from Vera to a glamorous role in Channel 4's A Woman Of Substance, where she plays Emma Harte. She described the experience as 'a bit of a rags to riches tale for me, too.'
'They're both strong women, but they're very different kettles of fish,' she observed about comparing her new character to Vera Stanhope. 'It was lovely to dress up in nice clothes for a change. The outfits were exquisite and very different to Vera's wardrobe, although a lot of her costumes were actually rather nice, it was just the way she wore them. I've kept quite a few of her blouses.'
Vera's Legacy and Future Possibilities
The final episode of Vera, which aired earlier this year, provided viewers with unprecedented insight into the detective's formative years. The storyline revealed how Vera, at just twelve years old, balanced personal grief with caring for her father – experiences that shaped her into the resilient character audiences have followed for fourteen series.
When asked about potential returns to the beloved series during an appearance on This Morning, Blethyn responded cautiously to hosts Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary. 'Well, no, I don't think so... I think they've got rid of the set!' she said regarding revival rumours. 'But somebody asked me would I ever go back? I said if they were doing a special... certainly, yes, I'd leap at it. That's unlikely to happen, I'm too busy!'
Family Life Adaptations
The actress humorously noted that their canine companion has adapted well to the new living arrangement. 'The dog is happy as he's got two different places to go – he prefers to be with me, though,' she revealed with characteristic warmth.
Blethyn's openness about her domestic situation reflects a growing trend among long-term couples finding creative solutions to maintain harmony while respecting individual needs. Her positive outlook and continued professional enthusiasm demonstrate that both her personal life and career remain vibrant as she enters her ninth decade.
The full interview appears in the March 2026 issue of Prima Magazine, now available on sale.
