Channel 4 Slates A Woman of Substance Remake

A brand-new adaptation of A Woman of Substance is in production for Channel 4, 40 years since the show ranked as the broadcaster’s biggest-ever drama series.

The reimagining of the bestselling novel by Barbara Taylor Bradford is filming in Yorkshire with Brenda Blethyn (Vera, Pride and Prejudice) and Jessica Reynolds (Kneecap & The Wolf, The Fox & The Leopard) as the iconic character. The eight-episode series is produced by The Forge Entertainment and written by Katherine Jakeways with Roanne Bardsley.

The cast also includes Emmett J Scanlan, Lydia Leonard, Leanne Best, Ewan Horrocks, Harry Cadby, Will Mellor, Lenny Rush, Niall Wright, Robert Wilfort and more.

Blethyn said, “I’m overjoyed to be taking on this iconic role, in the footsteps of the great Deborah Kerr. As a fan of Barbara Taylor-Bradford, it is an unmissable opportunity to play the fierce Emma Harte.”

Reynolds says: “To be a part of A Woman of Substance and to step into the shoes of Emma is an absolute dream for me. The team and cast we have behind this are truly inspiring and I’m so excited to bring the stunning scripts and this great piece of literature to the screen.”

Rebecca Holdsworth, commissioning editor for drama at Channel 4, said, “Attracting an ensemble cast of this quality is testament to Katherine and Roanne’s exceptional scripts. We are so excited to be bringing this fresh, sexy and bold adaptation of an iconic book to Channel 4.”