Brenda Blethyn, best known for her role as DCI Vera Stanhope in the ITV series Vera, has been married to Michael Mayhew since 2010. Mayhew, a former art director, left his wife for Blethyn after they met on the set of the film Secrets & Lies in 1996.
Blethyn and Mayhew have been together for over 25 years. In interviews, Blethyn has described their relationship as a 'whirlwind romance' and has spoken about the challenges of their early years, including the fallout from Mayhew's previous marriage.
The couple lives in Kent, England. Blethyn has no children, but Mayhew has children from his previous marriage. Blethyn has said she is stepmother to them.
Blethyn's career spans decades, with notable roles in Secrets & Lies (for which she was nominated for an Oscar), Little Voice, and Pride & Prejudice. Vera concluded in 2025 after 14 series.
