is widely recognised for her longtime role as Detective Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope in ’s hit crime drama, .
After stepping into the role in 2011, TV star for her portrayal and for leaving fans on the edge of their seats.
However, after 14 years on January 2, which saw the usually stern detective quietly retire after solving a case.
Although the 78-year-old is loved and admired for the role, she has also appeared in several TV shows and films over the years.
Blethyn has enjoyed a successful career after her early days on the stage, including the adaptations of many Shakespeare titles, such as King Lear, in which she portrayed Cordelia.
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Brenda Blethyn starred as Vera Stanhope for 14 years (Image: ITV)
She starred in the 1982 production opposite the late Michael Hordern who portrayed the titular character.
The star-studded cast included ’ Anton Lesser, The Hobbit’s Ken Scott and ’s Penelope Wilton.
Blethyn then starred in the 1983 TV movie Henry VI, Part 1, which was an adaptation of the Shakespeare play of the same name, with an impressive Yorkshire accent.
She played Joan La Pucelle and looked near-unrecognisable from her more recent role as Vera.
Instead of the very short brunette tresses that the detective is easily noticeable with, a much younger Blethyn sported a thick bright blonde bob.
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Brenda Blethyn starred in Henry VI part 1 as Joan La Pucelle (Image: BBC)
Decades before adopting the sparse brown fringe and khaki hat, the actress starred in the adaptation with a trendy middle part that neatly chopped at her slender jawline.
Throughout her career, Blethyn’s work was widely recognised and praised by awarding bodies as well as viewers.
She starred in Atonement, War and Peace, and, alongside Vera, she also appeared in ITV’s Kate and Koji.
Blethyn gained recognition across the pond and went on to appear in titles such as A River Runs Through It alongside Brad Pitt and in Mike Leigh’s film Secrets and Lies.
Her role in Pride and Prejudice awarded her a BAFTA nomination for Best Actress and she later received a Golden Globe, a London Film Critics Award and an Academy Award nomination.