The Addictive 8-Episode Period Drama Everyone Is Suddenly Binge-Watching: A Sweeping Rags-to-Riches Story Spanning 60 Years Where a Penniless Yorkshire Maid Betrayed by Her Aristocratic Lover Builds a Powerful Business Empire Through Love, Revenge, and Ruthless Ambition—Only for Shocking Family Betrayals to Threaten Everything She Spent a Lifetime Creating
If you’re a fan of period dramas adapted from a classic bonkbuster novel, then Channel 4’s latest series, A Woman of Substance, is a must-watch.
The eight-part drama landed on screens on Wednesday and has already proved a hit with viewers, with many praising Vera star Brenda Blethyn’s lead performance.
Told over two timelines, the series is adapted from Barbara Taylor Bradford OBE’s 1979 novel and spans 60 years. The story centres on heroine Emma Harte, who works her way up from being a “penniless” maid in Yorkshire to a “powerful” business mogul.
© Channel 4/The Forge/Sam Taylor
Emma Harte (JESSICA REYNOLDS)
What have viewers said about A Woman of Substance?
The series has proved a hit with viewers, with many taking to X to share their thoughts.
“I watched A Woman of Substance on Channel 4 yesterday and was absolutely thrilled. It’s worth watching just for Brenda Blethyn. The whole team did a fantastic job,” said one person, while another penned: “What a woman, Brenda’s incredible – a complete transformation from Vera.”
A third wrote: “Wow, A Woman of Substance was great! Can’t wait for the next episode. @BrendaBlethyn you were amazing as always. Well worth the wait,” while another added: “A Woman of Substance – wow, just wow. Everyone involved is absolutely incredible.”
A fifth viewer wrote: “Love how a #Yorkshire family saga with a good dose of ‘upstairs downstairs’ drama is on TV again – A Woman of Substance is a classic!”
© Channel 4/The Forge/Sam Taylor
What have critics said about A Woman of Substance?
The series has also been received positively by critics, with The Guardian writing: “A Woman of Substance still works brilliantly as a nostalgia piece – a perfect homage to the age of excess and television that drowned you in plot and let someone else worry about the rest.”
Hailing it as “equally terrible and irresistible” in its four star review, The Telegraph said: “They’ve turned out a loving homage to Barbara Taylor Bradford and her rags-to-riches tale, albeit with a raging libido.”
Meanwhile, Metro added: “This revenge romp might not beat the ratings of its predecessor, but it is certainly a worthy heir to that record.”
© Channel 4/The Forge/Sam Taylor
Brenda plays Emma in later life
What is A Woman of Substance about?
The series charts Emma’s life at two key stages, from her humble upbringing to her later-life success.
The Channel 4 synopsis reads: “Betrayed by her aristocratic lover and cast out when she becomes pregnant, young Emma vows a lifelong revenge on the family she once worked for and who underestimated her. Through love, loss, war, and unrelenting ambition, Emma amasses power, outwits rivals, and shapes her own destiny.
“In the 1970s, as she approaches her 80th birthday, betrayal from within Emma’s own family threatens everything she’s fought a lifetime to build.”
© Channel 4/The Forge/Sam Taylor
Ewan Horrocks plays Edwin Fairley
What has Brenda said about A Woman of Substance?
When she got the casting call for the role of Emma, Brenda told HELLO! just how surprised she was. “If you were casting A Woman of Substance, this fashionista, this richest woman in the world, who’s the first person who would spring to mind? Brenda Blethyn?” she said.
Despite her imposter syndrome, Brenda did in fact have more in common with her character than people might think.
© Channel 4/The Forge/Sam Taylor
“I could understand Emma’s struggle, and how important it was just to get a couple more shillings a week. My mum had three jobs to make ends meet,” Brenda said.
“We had a rather Victorian upbringing. You’re taught that if you want anything, you’ve got to work for it. Nothing’s going to be handed to you on a plate, especially if you’re working-class.”
All eight episodes of A Woman of Substance are available to watch on Channel 4.
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