Produced by The Forge Entertainment (National Treasure, The Buccaneers, Marriage), a Banijay UK company, Brenda Blethyn (Vera, Pride and Prejudice) and Jessica Reynolds (Kneecap, The Wolf, The Fox & The Leopard) are to return to Channel 4 in a second series of A Woman of Substance as the iconic character of Emma Harte, a housemaid-turned-mogul, daughter, mother, lover, fighter and a 20th century feminist icon who refused to know her ‘place.’
Based on the global phenomenon of novels written by Barbara Taylor Bradford OBE, series one of A Woman of Substance was Channel 4 streaming’s most-watched drama in five years — since It’s a Sin — with an average audience of 3 million per episode.
Series one ended with Emma’s granddaughter and chosen heir, Paula, revealing that she had secretly married into the Fairley family, potentially undoing a lifetime of revenge.
In this new series, we rejoin the unstoppable Emma Harte as she emerges from World War I and strides into the glittering, fast changing world of the 1920s. Emma's ambition for the Harte name is unrelenting, as is her determination to make the Fairley family pay. But she has passion to contend with, in the form of the infuriatingly charismatic Paul McGill, and she'll also endure devasting loss and face unexpected betrayals from those she holds most dear. Meanwhile in the 1970s, Emma battles to win back her life’s work from Jim Fairley. It’s one thing to reach the top, and another to stay there…..
Katherine Jakeways (The Buccaneers) will return to write series two alongside Roanne Bardsley (The Buccaneers, Screw), and filming will commence in Yorkshire later this year.
Gwawr Lloyd, Interim Head of Channel 4 drama, says: “Following the incredible success and popularity of the brilliant first series, we’re thrilled to be bringing the incomparable and iconic Emma Harte back to Channel 4 again. Series two will continue Emma’s story with all the ambition, drama and family intrigue that made A Woman of Substance such a compelling and irresistible watch.
I’d like to thank writers Katherine Jakeways and Roanne Bardsley, who I’m delighted to say are returning to pen the second series, alongside executive producers Beth Willis and Joe Innes from The Forge Entertainment for their commitment to the show. I’d also like to thank Brenda Blethyn and Jessica Reynolds for bringing Emma Harte to life with such passion, along with all the cast who ensured that series one captured the audience’s hearts.”
Katherine Jakeways and Roanne Bardsley, writers and executive producers say: “We couldn’t be more delighted to be back with our beloved Emma Harte. The higher she climbs, the greater the risks, and we're looking forward to more of everything we adore - heart-soaring romance, gut-wrenching loss, and of course, delicious revenge. Huge thanks to Channel 4, Banijay and The Forge for being as obsessed with Barbara Taylor Bradford's world as we are.
Beth Willis, Executive Producer and co-Managing Director at The Forge Entertainment says: “The Forge are so delighted to dive back into the delicious world of Emma Harte for Channel 4. It’s a privilege to be working again with the ultimate Women of Substance - the incredible Jessica Reynolds and Brenda Blethyn, Katherine Jakeways and Roanne Bardsley - and of course The Barbara Taylor Bradford Trust.”
H.E. Vicki Downey, Trustee of The Barbara Taylor Bradford Trust says: "Emma Harte is a woman who refuses to be defeated by poverty, by betrayal and by the limitations others place upon her. That story has resonated with readers for nearly five decades, and it is clear from the response to the new TV adaptation that audiences feel exactly the same connection. There is so much more of Emma's world to explore, and we are thrilled that Channel 4 is bringing the next part of Emma’s extraordinary life to the screen.”
An 8X60” drama series by The Forge Entertainment, executive producers are Beth Willis, Joe Innes, Katherine Jakeways and Roanne Bardsley alongside The Barbara Taylor Bradford Trust with Richard Senior as the director.
A Woman of Substance has been commissioned for Channel 4 by Gwawr Lloyd, Interim Head of Channel 4 Drama and Louise Donald, Commissioning Editor. A Woman of Substance will be distributed internationally by Banijay Rights.
Further details will be announced in due course.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
ABOUT CHANNEL 4
Channel 4 exists to create change through entertainment. Publicly owned yet commercially funded, Channel 4 generates significant and sustainable cultural, economic and social impact across the UK – at no cost to the taxpayer.
The broadcaster’s distinctive remit is set by Parliament, and it has a role to represent unheard voices, challenge with purpose and reinvent entertainment. For more than 40 years, it has been a British success story, engaging generation after generation of young people.
Working with hundreds of creative companies every year, Channel 4 makes a major contribution to the local, regional and national economy, creating and supporting thousands of jobs and businesses across the country.
In 2024, Channel 4 launched its Fast Forward strategy to accelerate its transformation into an agile and genuinely digital-first public service streamer by 2030. It is designed to ensure Channel 4 embraces the generational shift in TV viewing, elevates its impact across the UK and stands out in a crowded market.
From its bases in London, Leeds, Manchester, Bristol and Glasgow, Channel 4 is fully committed to harnessing the power of its regional structure to increase its impact across the UK. Through its training and development initiative 4Skills is opening up opportunities in broadcasting, with a particular focus on disadvantaged young people and addressing skills gaps across the Nations and Regions. 4Skills invests millions in training, development and learning opportunities annually.
Through Film4 Productions, Channel 4 also invests in British filmmakers to huge critical acclaim, producing 43 Oscar wins and 97 BAFTA wins in its history.
https://www.channel4.com
ABOUT THE FORGE ENTERTAINMENT
The Forge, a Banijay UK company, is a drama production company with an unrivalled reputation for high-quality, ambitious and influential television drama, working in collaboration with some of the UK’s leading creative talent. The company has produced a wide range of award-winning dramas, including Jack Thorne’s National Treasure, starring Robbie Coltrane and Julie Walters; Help, starring Jodie Comer and Stephen Graham; David Hare’s Collateral and Roadkill, starring Carey Mulligan and Hugh Laurie respectively; and Anya Reiss’s Becoming Elizabeth for Starz in the US.
The Company’s recent slate includes major eight-part Apple TV series The Buccaneers, created and written by Katherine Jakeways; eight-part epic saga A Woman of Substance for Channel 4, based on Barbara Taylor Bradford’s bestselling novel and written by Katherine Jakeways and Roanne Bardsley; Falling, a major six-part original drama from Jack Thorne for Channel 4; Disney+’s four-part adaptation of Shardlake by Stephen Butchard; Generation Z, the first original television project from Ben Wheatley for Channel 4; and Just Act Normal, a darkly comic youth-skewing series from award-winning writer Janice Okoh for BBC Three and BBC iPlayer.
The Forge currently has multiple high-profile titles in production for both linear broadcasters and SVOD platforms, including Season 3 of The Buccaneers and Reputation, a new six-part legal drama for BBC One and BBC iPlayer created and written by Anya Reiss.
ABOUT THE BARBARA TAYLOR BRADFORD TRUST
The Barbara Taylor Bradford Trust manages the literary and media rights for the international bestselling author’s 40 novels that she wrote.
One of the most famous of novels in Barbara Taylor Bradford’s vast literary estate is A Woman of Substance, which went from bestseller to super seller within its first year and stayed on the New York Times’ list for 43 weeks.
The Trust also oversees the rights for films and TV series previously created or currently in production. It is the holder of the copyright of all Barbara Taylor Bradford’s novels and personal letters and those of Bradford Enterprises, a company she co-owned with her late husband, movie producer Robert Bradford.
The Trust manages the use of Barbara Taylor Bradford / A Woman of Substance name and of her likeness.
https://barbarataylorbradford.com
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