All posts tagged: Brenda

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 …

Brenda Song on Running Point Season 2, Challenging Herself, Disney Days

Brenda Song on Running Point Season 2, Challenging Herself, Disney Days

Published by Daniella Wilson

If there’s one thing Brenda Song knows, it’s acting. Well, that and basketball. She definitely knows basketball. The 38-year-old Running Point star is a seasoned veteran onscreen. It sounds like a ridiculous thing to say about an actor yet to reach their 40th birthday, but Song’s been steadily working since she was six years old. “I’ve been doing this for [nearly] 35 years now,” Song tells The Hollywood Reporter on Zoom Monday morning. Fresh off the release of Running Point season two, the actress seems full of energy despite what must’ve been a busy few weeks. In the Netflix comedy series, Song plays Ali, the right hand woman to Kate Hudson’s Isla, who at the beginning of the series finds herself leading her family’s business — the pro basketball team, the Los Angeles Waves. Executive produced by Mindy Kaling, Ike Barinholtz and David Stassen, the show was a bit of a dream project for Song, despite not fully buying into that concept. The actress, who spent much of her youth starring in Disney Channel’s biggest …

Kate Hudson and Brenda Song Interview

Kate Hudson and Brenda Song Interview

Published by Daniella Wilson

In the third episode of Running Point’s newly released second season, Kate Hudson’s Isla laments that she never had many female friends growing up. “My mother taught me all women were threats,” she recalls in voice over during a college flashback. The now-head of the Los Angeles Waves basketball team explains it wasn’t until college that she made her first girlfriend, Ali, played by Brenda Song. The duo were a core part of the first season, but as the comedy series — executive produced and created by Mindy Kaling, Ike Barinholtz and David Stassen — expanded into its now streaming second season, things got bit rocky for Ali and Isla. “We get to really meet Isla and Ali when they meet in college and then explore their friendship,” Hudson tells The Hollywood Reporter. “Their origin story, as we like to call it,” Song chimes in. Song’s Ali is forced to push her boss and best friend — tough combo — for a raise. When it’s revealed by Isla’s brother that it’s not happening and Isla’s …

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’ – …

World of His Fathers | Brenda Wineapple

World of His Fathers | Brenda Wineapple

Published by José Betancourt

Near the beginning of Returning: A Search for Home Across Three Centuries, Nicholas Lemann quotes from Robert Penn Warren’s searing and, for Lemann, talismanic novel All the King’s Men (1946), set in Louisiana, where he was born. The narrator, Jack Burden, writes that his story “is the story of a man who lived in the world and to him the world looked one way for a long time and then it looked another and very different way. The change did not happen all at once.” Lemann’s story, too, is about how the world looked one way to him and then slowly, over time, another and very different way. Dean emeritus of the Columbia Journalism School and a scrupulous social historian, he notes that his previous books (my favorite is Redemption: The Last Battle of the Civil War) were mostly about the South and race, “the ever-present and unmissable ordering principle of everyday life.” But now, in Returning, he has turned his considerable investigative skills on his family, its antebellum past, its connection to Germany, and …

Vera’s Brenda Blethyn reveals big difference on Woman of Substance

Vera’s Brenda Blethyn reveals big difference on Woman of Substance

Published by Daniella Wilson

After 14 years helming detective series Vera, Brenda Blethyn has taken on an entirely different kind of role in Channel 4’s new adaptation series, A Woman of Substance. The eight-parter is now available to stream in full and is a fresh take on Barbara Taylor Bradford’s 1979 novel, with Blethyn leading the cast alongside Jessica Reynolds (House of Guinness), who plays the younger version of central character Emma Harte. As Blethyn’s next big TV project post-Vera, the actress reflected on her experience filming A Woman of Substance. At a post-screening Q&A for the series, Blethyn said: “Well, I kind of behaved myself on this more because on Vera, I sort of threw my weight about a bit. I would have a laugh now and again. “But this is like a new thing. I didn’t rule the roost on this, so I had to behave myself. So, a few laughs here and there.” Emma Harte 1970’s (BRENDA BLETHYN) A Woman of Substance Channel 4 While many may be anticipating seeing Blethyn throughout the series, much of the …

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 …

A Woman of Substance cast | Who stars alongside Brenda Blethyn?

A Woman of Substance cast | Who stars alongside Brenda Blethyn?

Published by Daniella Wilson

It’s time for a brand new period drama to get obsessed with, and as well as all the saucy sex scenes, A Woman of Substance has an overarching revenge plot that makes it a total binge-watch. The new series is an adaptation of Barbara Taylor Bradford’s 1979 novel and isn’t the first time it’s been adapted for telly. Instead of 1985’s leads Jenny Seagrove and Deborah Kerr, this new version puts Brenda Blethyn and Jessica Reynolds in the starring roles as the young and older versions of Emma Harte. Speaking about whether she feels any similarities with her character, Blethyn said at a screening: “Well, Emma Harte had this plan with a capital P. I’ve never had a plan. I’m devoid of ambition. Always have been fairly happy with my lot, whatever.” While there are recognisable faces from shows like House of Guinness, Peaky Blinders and Mr Bates vs the Post Office, there’s plenty talent in the cast of this period drama. But who else stars in A Woman of Substance? Read on for more …

Brenda Blethyn, 80, reveals lifelong struggle with imposter syndrome – and what cured it

Brenda Blethyn, 80, reveals lifelong struggle with imposter syndrome – and what cured it

Published by Daniella Wilson

Brenda Blethyn has achieved national treasure status thanks to her acclaimed TV and film career, having won a Golden Globe, BAFTA Award and two Oscar nominations over five decades. But despite her huge success, the Olivier nominated star has suffered from imposter syndrome for most of her life. Speaking at the London launch of Channel 4’s upcoming adaptation of Barbara Taylor Bradford OBE’s 1979 novel, A Woman of Substance, the 80-year-old actor revealed how she has overcome the feeling with age and success.  © Channel 4/The Forge/Sam TaylorBrenda plays an older version of Emma Harte in A Woman of Substance When asked to share the best thing about being in the ‘second act’ of her life, Brenda told HELLO! and other press: “I’ve suffered most of my life from imposter syndrome. That’s leaving me. I haven’t got that quite so much anymore.” Revealing the advice shared with her by her parents, Louisa, a scullery maid, and William, a chauffeur, Brenda continued: “We were very poor growing up, but my mum and dad always used to …