All posts tagged: Blethyns

Brenda Blethyn’s ‘masterpiece’ drama A Woman of Substance tipped for return

Brenda Blethyn’s ‘masterpiece’ drama A Woman of Substance tipped for return

Published by Daniella Wilson

Channel 4’s hit period drama, A Woman of Substance, is reportedly set to return for a second season. The revenge series, starring Brenda Blethyn, will air on the broadcaster in 2027, with filming expected to begin in November, according to TV Zone.  While Channel 4 has yet to announce a recommission, Brenda previously expressed her hopes for the show’s return. She told HELLO!: “I want to know what happens next!” © Channel 4/The Forge/Sam TaylorBrenda Blethyn stars as Emma Harte in A Woman of Substance Given the show’s massive success – becoming Channel 4’s most-watched new drama since 2021’s It’s A Sin – it’s easy to see why audiences have hailed it as a “masterpiece.” It feels almost inevitable that Channel 4 would greenlight a second season, especially with Brenda Blethyn herself eager to pick up Emma Harte’s story where she left off. Our fingers are firmly crossed! What is A Woman of Substance about?  Based on Barbara Taylor Bradford’s iconic, multi-million-copy bestseller, this eight-part drama charts the rise of Emma Harte. © Channel 4/The Forge/Sam …

Vera legend Brenda Blethyn’s acclaimed Channel 4 drama tipped to return

Vera legend Brenda Blethyn’s acclaimed Channel 4 drama tipped to return

Published by Daniella Wilson

A Woman of Substance has reportedly been renewed for a second season on Channel 4, with the revenge drama thought to be making a return next year. TV Zone reports that filming is set to begin in November and air on the broadcaster in 2027, though Channel 4 is yet to confirm the recommission. Radio Times has approached Channel 4 for comment. Based on the novel of the same name by Barbara Taylor Bradford, A Woman of Substance stars Brenda Blethyn (Vera) and Jessica Reynolds (House of Guinness) as two versions of Emma Harte, a housemaid turned business mogul. The synopsis for the drama reads: “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.” Jessica …

Vera icon Brenda Blethyn’s acclaimed film wins array of awards at BJIFF

Vera icon Brenda Blethyn’s acclaimed film wins array of awards at BJIFF

Published by Daniella Wilson

Dragonfly, starring Vera icon Brenda Blethyn, has won big at the 16th Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF). The film from writer/director Paul Andrew Williams took home three awards during the closing ceremony on Saturday (25 April): best feature film, best screenplay, and best actress. In a rare move, the best actress trophy was split between the film’s two leading stars, Blethyn and Andrea Riseborough. Dragonfly, which was released in cinemas last November, follows 35-year-old Colleen (Riseborough) as she steps in to care for her 80-something-year-old neighbour Elsie (Blethyn) after witnessing her neglect by carers. However, their bond soon begins to unravel amid interference from Elsie’s son, who’s instantly suspicious of Coleen’s motives – in part due to his pre-existing biases. Want to see this content? This page contains content provided by YouTube. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as YouTube may use cookies and other technologies. To view this content, choose ‘Accept and continue’ to allow YouTube and its required purposes. Accept and continue And it’s this exploration of the characters’ – …

Vera legend Brenda Blethyn’s acclaimed Channel 4 drama tipped to return

Brenda Blethyn’s A Woman of Substance to Lovejoy – are we in the era of ‘microwave TV’?

Published by Daniella Wilson

Add A Woman of Substance to your watchlist If you’ve ever wondered how Vera Stanhope would look with a bouffant in place of a bucket hat, a big-budget wardrobe and even an iron, muse no more: Brenda Blethyn has burst onto our screens, via a Manhattan limousine and complete with sunglasses, padded shoulders and a designer bag, as “the richest woman in the world”, Emma Harte. Yes, it’s a new adaptation of Barbara Taylor Bradford’s novel A Woman of Substance, last seen as a 1985 Channel 4 mini-series, with Emma played by Deborah Kerr (old) and Jenny Seagrove (young). And it’s by no means the only “microwave TV” coming our way in 2026. Jenny Seagrove as young Emma in the 1985 version. Never mind real-life coppers looking young, you know you’re getting old when TV detectives come round again: (Inspector) Lynley aired on BBC One in January, while a reimagined Dalziel and Pascoe is due on ITV in the autumn – aside from police, even a new Lovejoy is in the works. It’s a sign …