Vera's Brenda Blethyn lands role in 'striking' new historical comedy
Brenda Blethyn has lined up a number of exciting TV projects since stepping down as iconic detective, DCI Vera Stanhope, in ITV's long-running crime drama Vera and among them is upcoming historical comedy, Fools.
Brenda stars alongside Karen Gillan and Jim Broadbent in the upcoming film, which explores the little-known story of Mary Tudor's friendship with her female court jester.
The news comes as the 79-year-old films the reboot of A Woman of Substance, which was previously a TV hit in 1984 and shot a young Jenny Seagrove to fame.
Fools is set in 1553 in the aftermath of Henry VIII's death, the period comedy follows England's first Queen, Mary I, as she takes the throne in the midst of a country on the brink of chaos.
A synopsis from Variety reads: "While the ambitious Cardinal Pole plots to secure control, he overlooks a humble court jester, Jane Foole."
It continues: ""The pious and apparently humourless queen finds Jane's brilliant slapstick routines uproariously funny, and they strike up a genuine friendship, the comedy lightening Mary's mood in the darkest of times, and helping fend off Pole's murderous manipulation. But can Jane's comedy save a nation from civil war?"
Directed by Guy Jenkin (Outnumbered) the cast is led by Doctor Who star Karen Gillan as Mary Tudor. She stars alongside Patsy Ferran (Hot Milk, Miss Austen) as the jester, and Jim Broadbent (Harry Potter, Moulin Rouge) as a scheming cardinal. Details about Brenda's character have yet to be revealed.
Guy said of the film: "I am thrilled to be working with such a supremely talented core group of actors on Fools. Together, we will tell the untold story of the strange friendship between England's first Queen, and her female jester. Fools will turn the conventions of a historical film inside-out, and promises to be subversive, striking and very funny."
Producer Ryan Bennett of PaperEpic Productions added: "With Fools, Guy has discovered a fascinating, hidden piece of history. This is a story where comedy actually saves lives. It's a defence of moderation, and a celebration of the power of laughter."
The film is set to be shot later this year, with a release date yet to be announced.
Meanwhile, Brenda has already been busy filming the reboot of the Emmy-nominated series, A Woman of Substance for Channel 4.
The series, based on the 1979 novel of the same name, chronicles the life of Emma Harte, a Yorkshire housemaid who rises to become a successful department store tycoon.
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