TV icon Brenda Blethyn has returned to our screens as the titular detective, DCI Vera Stanhope in the new series of ITV's Vera, but off screen has a huge family.The drama series returned on Sunday, January 7, much to the delight of Vera fans as series 13 kicked off with more complex crimes needing to be solved in Northumberland. Brenda, 77, has played the leading role of DCI Vera since the show launched in 2011 and has delighted fans ever since. But away from the cameras, what else do we know about the leading lady? From growing up with eight siblings to being introduced to film by her parents.