Two-time Academy Award nominee Brenda Blethyn very kindly agreed to answer fan questions for the Acorn TV blog. Check out the exclusive Q&A below, and be sure to check out the all new season of Vera, which started July 6. Watch now on Acorn TV.

What has been your favorite episode to shoot?

Because each episode is so different from the previous one, it would be difficult to choose. Especially in series 5, which you are about to see.  I think they are all particularly well-written.  I suppose I could say I particularly liked episode 2, “Old Wounds,” as it touches on some aspects of the history of the area.

The filming area looks great, usually wet though. How is it to film in the rain and drizzle?

Northumberland has a microcrimate.   The weather can change dramatically and swiftly.

When it’s really hot, I’m very hot indeed as Vera wear so many layers of clothes.  But when it’s cold, it’s payback time. I’m the only warm person on set.  But it’s enormous fun: rain or shine, snow or fog, wind or hail!

Where’s Joe in Series 5?

Joe has gone on [to] pastures new.  The character was promoted and moved to another district.  It was sad to lose David, but his replacement Aiden is a very welcome addition to the team.  [He’s] played by the lovely Kenny Doughty.

Which do you prefer, movies or TV?

As far as the actual work goes, I don’t really have a preference, although filming a series takes much longer of course, which in turn means longer away from my home.  Northumberland is too far away from my home to return at weekends, so I only get home for a couple of days once a month. But my first love is theatre.

Is the series filmed entirely in one part of England or are there far-flung locations in the countryside?

All the episodes are filmed in Northumberland, which is in the north-east of England on the border of Scotland. It’s a very beautiful county with gorgeous landscapes and seascapes. Our police office is in Newcastle, which is the main city in a former big ship building and coal mining area.  Since the series started, tourism to Northumberland has prospered.

Will you be coming back for another season?

We are currently filming Series 6, which will be shown in the UK in the new year.   And there’s a strong possibility of still yet another series after that!!