FIRST LOOK A Woman of Substance

The new adaptation comes 40 years after the original became Channel 4's most-watched drama ever.

Channel 4 has today released a first look at Brenda Blethyn as Emma Harte, and Jessica Reynolds as a younger version of the iconic character in their new 8-part adaptation of Barbara Taylor Bradford OBE's bestselling novel and global phenomenon, A Woman of Substance.

Emma was a housemaid-turned-mogul, daughter, mother, lover, fighter and a 20th century feminist icon who refused to know her ‘place’.

1911. Emma Harte, an impoverished, ambitious maid in Yorkshire, England, goes on a dizzying journey to become the world’s richest woman, gazing down from a sprawling luxury New York penthouse. A rags-to-riches tale of women through the 20th century, Emma defies the expectations of her society, fearlessly challenging the roles she's given, smashing glass ceilings, and never, ever deviating from her masterplan: Get to the top. Whatever it takes.

A Woman of Substance also stars Emmett J Scanlan as Adam Fairley, Lydia Leonard as Olivia Wainwright, Leanne Best as Adele Fairley, Ewan Horrocks as Edwin Fairley, Harry Cadby as Gerald Fairley, Will Mellor as Jack Harte, Lenny Rush as Frank Harte, Niall Wright as Mac, Robert Wilfort as Murgatroyd, Toby Regbo as Jim Fairley, Hiftu Quasem as Priya Chandra, Sophie Bould as Elizabeth Harte and Georgina Sadler as Polly.

Produced by The Forge Entertainment, a Banijay UK company, the eight-part drama has been written by Katherine Jakeways and co-written by Roanne Bardsley, will be produced by Charlie Palmer, with the first block directed by John Hardwick, second block by Samantha Harries, third block by Richard Senior and is executive produced by Beth Willis, Joe Innes, George Faber and Katherine Jakeways.

When A Woman of Substance was made 40 years ago, it was Channel 4's biggest ever drama. This new revenge romp is a re-imagining of the multi-million bestselling novel and global phenomenon written by Barbara Taylor Bradford, which feels just as searingly relevant today as it did back then.

A Woman of Substance will air on Channel 4