Vera legend confirmed for the remake of classic Channel 4 drama: Brenda Blethyn, who left ITV’s Vera earlier this year to play DCI Stanhope, has won her first significant television job. In the latest version of Barbara Taylor Bradford’s book A Woman of Substance, the 79-year-old actress will play the major role. Blethyn, who laid up her iconic trench coat and hat after 14 years of playing the endearing investigator, has a big new chapter in his eight-part series.
Brenda Blethyn, who plays Vera, will start in a new adaptation of Barbara Taylor Bradford’s book A Woman of Substance on Channel 4. Set in 1911, the eight-episode series chronicles the rags-to-riches journey of Blethyn’s character, Emma Harte, a poor Yorkshire maid who becomes the head of a corporate empire. Following in Deborah Kerr’s footsteps, Blethyn, 79, played Emma in the first Channel 4 drama, which was broadcast forty years ago.
The adaptation, which is scheduled to premiere next year, stars Blethyn as Emma Harte, a poor Yorkshire maid who becomes a powerful business magnate.
The period drama, which will follow Emma’s incredible journey from survival to success as she breaks down the glass ceilings of 20th-century society, has Irish actress Jessica Reynolds as the younger Emma.
Emma’s path from poverty to exceptional fortune begins in 1911, when she navigates the challenges of her business empire and ultimately becomes the richest woman in the world.
In the drama, Emma becomes a feminist icon of the 20th century by resisting the lower expectations society has placed on her and boldly questioning the roles she has been assigned. Recently, Blethyn conveyed her: “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.”
In the agreement with Blethyn, Reynolds states that the opportunity was a “complete dream” and mentioned how motivated she was by her co-stars in the drama.
“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”
Will Mellor from Line of Duty plays Jack Harte, and Irish actor Emmett K. Scanlan plays Adam Fairley.
In addition to Leanne Best, who has been cast as Adele Fairly, Lydia Leonard will portray Olivia Wainwright, and TV Bafta winner Lenny Rush will play Frank Harte
Yorkshire has already started filming, and Channel 4 has confirmed that the series will premiere next year; a date will be revealed soon.