Latest news with #EmmaHarte
Wales Online
03-06-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Brenda Blethyn unrecognisable as she takes on 'iconic role' in Channel 4 reboot
Brenda Blethyn unrecognisable as she takes on 'iconic role' in Channel 4 reboot Brenda Blethyn has been spotted looking completely different to her Vera character as she takes on a new role in the reboot of A Woman of Substance. Brenda Blethyn is set to surprise fans of Vera as she embarks on a fresh endeavour, taking on a new character that's a stark contrast to her familiar ITV role. At 79-years-old, Brenda is stepping into the shoes of Emma Harte in the revamped version of the 1984 Emmy-nominated drama A Woman of Substance, which will broadcast on Channel 4. The series, adapted from the 1979 novel by the same title, charts the extraordinary journey of Emma Harte, a Yorkshire maid who becomes a powerful businesswoman and establishes a thriving department store empire. Captured on set in photos released by Digital Spy, the esteemed actress appears almost unrecognisable sporting white hair arranged in a vintage 70s style. Clad in a cream coat, Brenda was photographed wearing a silk scarf and rain bonnet, complete with circular sunglasses and a red work bag emblazoned with the initials EH, reports Devon Live. Brenda Blethyn unrecognisable as she takes on 'iconic role' in Channel 4 reboot (Image: Dave) Article continues below In this reimagined adaptation, Brenda takes on the lead role, while Jessica Reynolds portrays the younger Emma Harte. The original series featured Deborah Kerr and Jenny Seagrove in these roles back in 1984. The show's synopsis describes the plot as follows: "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." The actress has ditched the raincoat and detective hat (Image: ITV ) Brenda expressed her delight at stepping into the role, saying: "I'm overjoyed to be taking on this iconic role in the footsteps of the great Deborah Kerr. As a fan of [author] Barbara Taylor Bradford, it is an unmissable opportunity to play the fierce Emma Harte." Jessica shared her enthusiasm as well, remarking: "To be a part of A Woman of Substance and to step into the shoes of Emma is an absolute dream for me." She continued, highlighting the team's talent: "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." A Woman of Substance is currently in production (Image: Mike Marsland/WireImage ) The Channel 4 series will also feature actors Emmett J Scanlan, Lydia Leonard, Sophie Bould, Leanne Best, and Will Mellor. Rebecca Holdsworth, Channel 4's commissioning editor for drama, praised the project, stating: "Attracting an ensemble cast of this quality is testament to Katherine and Roanne's exceptional scripts." Article continues below She further added: "We are so excited to be bringing this fresh, sexy and bold adaptation of an iconic book to Channel 4." The broadcast date for A Woman of Substance on Channel 4 has yet to be announced.
Daily Mirror
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Vera's Brenda Blethyn transforms for new role as she leaves iconic look behind
Vera star Brenda Blethyn is set to appear in a brand new TV series - and she looks a world away from the ITV character in the first look at the show. Brenda Blethyn is almost unrecognisable in her new role, a stark contrast to her familiar appearance on ITV's Vera. The 79-year-old actress is set to star in the reboot of the 1984 Emmy-nominated series, A Woman of Substance, which will be broadcast on Channel 4. The series, based on the 1979 novel of the same name, chronicles the life of Emma Harte, a Yorkshire housemaid who rises to become a successful department store tycoon. Photos obtained by Digital Spy show the beloved actress filming for the show, sporting white hair styled in a 70s-inspired updo. Dressed in a cream coat, Brenda is seen accessorising with a silk scarf, a rain bonnet, round sunglasses and a red work bag bearing the initials E H , reports Devon Live. In this reimagined series, Brenda takes on the lead role, with Jessica Reynolds portraying a younger Emma Harte. The original series saw Deborah Kerr and Jenny Seagrove in the starring roles. The series synopsis reads: "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." Brenda expressed her delight about joining the project, commenting: "I'm overjoyed to be taking on this iconic role in the footsteps of the great Deborah Kerr. As a fan of [author] Barbara Taylor Bradford, it is an unmissable opportunity to play the fierce Emma Harte." Jessica echoed the sentiment, adding: "To be a part of A Woman of Substance and to step into the shoes of Emma is an absolute dream for me. "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." They will be joined by a star-studded lineup that includes Emmett J Scanlan, Lydia Leonard, Sophie Bould, Leanne Best and Will Mellor. Channel 4's drama commissioning editor, Rebecca Holdsworth, praised the casting, saying: "Attracting an ensemble cast of this quality is testament to Katherine and Roanne's exceptional scripts." She added that Channel 4 is thrilled: "We are so excited to be bringing this fresh, sexy and bold adaptation of an iconic book to Channel 4." Details regarding the air date for A Woman of Substance remain under wraps.
Daily Mirror
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Brenda Blethyn lands major new role in eight-part series after quitting Vera
Actress to take the lead in reworking of iconic novel, 40 years after it was Channel 4's biggest ever drama When Brenda Blethyn quit ITV's Vera after 14 years she insisted she was not retiring - now the actress has signed up to play the 'fierce' lead in A Woman of Substance. Brenda, 79, will take the lead in an eight-part adaptation of Barbara Taylor Bradford 's iconic novel for Channel 4 alongside Jessica Reynolds, who plays the younger version of main character Emma Harte. The revenge romp drama previously aired on Channel 4 40 years ago, starring Deborah Kerr, and became the station's biggest ever drama, also winning an Emmy nomination. Set in 1911, the story follows impoverished but ambitious Yorkshire maid Emma as she embarks on a dizzying journey to become the world 's richest woman. The character is also a daughter, mother, lover and fighter who refused to know her 'place', becoming a 20 th century feminist icon. On accepting the major new challenge, Brenda said: '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.' Filming has kicked off in Yorkshire with the cast also including Emmett J Scanlan, Will Mellor as Adam Fairley, Lydia Leonard as Olivia Wainwright and Leanne Best as Adele Fairley, The rags-to-riches tale shows Emma defying the lowly expectations that society has thrust upon her, leading her to fearlessly challenge the roles she's given, smashing glass ceilings along the way. Jessica, whose previous roles include Kneecap & the Wolf and The Fox & The Leopard, said the role was an 'absolute dream' adding: '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.' Channel 4 drama commissioning editor Rebecca Holdswoth said the 'exceptional' scripts, from Katherine Takeaways and Roanne Bardsley would produce a 'fresh, sexy and bold adaptation of an iconic book'. After bowing out as Vera, Brenda told how she wanted to reclaim her summers and said: 'On the last day I felt very emotional. It's her packing up her stuff and backing out of the office and I could have cried to be honest. It's so bittersweet because I've loved every minute of this job.' The last ever scene of series 14, which aired in January based on Ann Cleeves' 11th novel The Dark Wives, saw Vera walking across a beach with a smile on her face. A Woman of Substance is due to air on Channel 4 next year.
Daily Mail
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Brenda Blethyn bags first new TV role since emotional Vera exit - and it's worlds away from the ITV detective hit
Vera star Brenda Blethyn has been announced as the leading actress in Channel 4 's new adaptation of A Woman Of Substance. The 1979 novel, written by Barbara Taylor Bradford, follows the iconic Emma Harte, an impoverished yet ambitious housemaid living in 1911 Yorkshire. Harte embarks on a dizzying journey from survival to success as she shatters the glass ceilings of 20th-century society, becoming a formidable business mogul and later, the world's richest woman. The protagonist's story continues through to her modern life, as she navigates the trials and tribulations of her business empire, facing threats from the most unexpected of places along the way. A Woman Of Substance marked the outset of the Emma Harte saga for its author, Bradford, and went on to become sensational, selling more than 30 million copies worldwide. In 1984, the original TV adaptation of the book, starring Deborah Kerr and Jenny Seagrove gained a huge amount of traction for Channel 4. The 1979 novel, written by Barbara Taylor Bradford, follows the iconic Emma Harte, an impoverished yet ambitious housemaid living in 1911 Yorkshire Its finale on January 4th, 1985, boasted 13.8 million viewers, which remains the channel's highest ever audience to this day. 'I'm overjoyed to be taking on this iconic role, in the footsteps of the great Deborah Kerr.' Says Blethyn, 'As a fan of Barbara Taylor-Bradford, it is an unmissable opportunity to play the fierce Emma Harte.' Blethyn will take on the role of Harte alongside her co-star Jessica Reynolds, who will play the younger version of the tenacious protagonist. 'The team and cast we have behind this are truly inspiring,' says Reynolds. 'I'm so excited to bring the stunning scripts and this great piece of literature to the screen.' Channel 4 commissioning editor, Rebecca Holdsworth, highlights that the new adaptation will be a 'fresh, sexy and bold' take on the source material. The rags-to-riches period drama will prove a stark contrast to Brenda Blethyn's 14-year portrayal of the titular role in Vera- a gritty, enthralling crime drama with a Newcastle backdrop. The four-time National Television Award-nominated series came to a close earlier this year, after the Oscar-nominated actress hung up her infamous trench coat and hat to bid farewell to Northumberland with one last season. The last time we saw Blethyn on our screens, Vera was walking away on a beach, assured and ready for retirement in an emotive and well-rounded finale. Earlier this year, Brenda Blethyn was presented with an Outstanding Contribution Award at the 2025 TV Choice Awards The woman behind the character, however, is eager for a new challenge. Earlier this year, Brenda Blethyn was presented with an Outstanding Contribution Award at the 2025 TV Choice Awards. It was in recognition of ITV detective series Vera, in which she played DCI Vera Stanhope before quitting last year after 14 series. Chosen to present the gong was Brenda's Secrets and Lies co-star and fellow BAFTA winner Timothy Spall, 67.
RTÉ News
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Kneecap star Jessica Reynolds becomes A Woman of Substance
Kneecap star Jessica Reynolds is joining Brenda Blethyn and Emmet J Scanlan in Channel 4's reboot of the Barbara Taylor Bradford bestseller A Woman of Substance. Channel 4 has announced that filming on the eight-part series has begun in Yorkshire with "Brenda Blethyn (Vera, Pride and Prejudice) as Emma Harte and Jessica Reynolds (Kneecap, The Wolf, the Fox, and the Leopard) as the younger version of the iconic character, a housemaid-turned-mogul, daughter, mother, lover, fighter, and a 20th-century feminist icon who refused to know her 'place'". The synopsis for A Woman of Substance 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." Channel 4 previously made the book into a miniseries starring Jenny Seagrove and Deborah Kerr in the role of Emma Harte - with Liam Neeson in one of his early screen roles as Emma's friend and confidant Blackie O'Neill. The miniseries was produced in 1984 and aired in January 1985. "Previously Emmy-nominated and Channel 4's biggest ever drama when it was made 40 years ago, this new revenge romp is a re-imagining of the multi-million bestselling novel and global phenomenon written by Barbara Taylor Bradford, which feels just as searingly relevant today as it did back then," Channel 4 continued. The new series is written by Katherine Jakeways (The Buccaneers) and co-written by Roanne Bardsley (The Buccaneers, Screw). John Hardwick (The Buccaneers, One Day, The A Word) will direct the first block of episodes. Jessica Reynolds said: "To be a part of A Woman of Substance and to step into the shoes of Emma is an absolute dream for me. 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." Co-star Brenda Blethyn said: "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."
