28-04-2025
Brenda Blethyn lands first major role since Vera ended – and it's world's away from iconic TV detective
BRENDA Blethyn has wasted no time swapping police badges for something completely different - bagging her first major role since quitting Vera.
The beloved actress, 78, is set to star in a brand new project that's a world away from her days solving crimes as DCI Stanhope.
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Channel 4 has signed up a Hollywood legend and a rising star for its glitzy new remake of Barbara Taylor Bradford's A Woman Of Substance.
The Woman Of Substance charts the jaw-dropping rise of a poor Yorkshire maid who claws her way to the top - ending up the richest woman on the planet, ruling her empire from a swanky New York penthouse.
The rags-to-riches saga is being rebooted 40 years after Channel 4's first version - which starred Jenny Seagrove and still holds the crown as the channel's most-watched drama ever.
The brains behind Apple TV hit The Buccaneers, Katherine Jakeways and Roanne Bardsley, are on script duty for the new series.
The glitzy remake is being produced by Banijay-backed The Forge, with former Channel 4 drama chief Beth Willis serving as executive producer.
Brenda Blethyn - a double Oscar nominee and TV favourite thanks to Vera - is leading the charge.
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.'
While rising star Jessica Reynolds, fresh from a breakout role in indie smash Kneecap and Outlander Season 6, will play the younger Emma.
The original three-part saga starred Liam Neeson with Jenny Seagrove as Emma Harte.
Its finale pulled in Channel 4's highest audience of 13.8 million viewers and received two Emmy nominations.
A Woman of Substance has sold an incredible 30 million copies since its release four decades ago.
Barbara Taylor Bradford died at the age of 91.
She passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday 24 November following a brief illness.
Crime dramas on ITVX
Crime drama buffs have a wide selection of choices on ITVX - here is a selection of some of the programmes available to binge.
Professor T: Based on a Belgian TV series of the same name, former Death in Paradise lead Ben Miller plays the title character. Professor Jasper Tempest is a criminologist with OCD who helps the police solve crimes. The cast also includes Emma Naomi, Barney White and Andy Gathergood.
The Beast Must Die: This series follows a mother's grief for her son, who was killed in an accident. Nicholas Blake's novel of the same name has been adapted for the programme. Stars include Cush Jumbo, Jared Harris, Billy Howle and Geraldine James.
Red Eye: Starring Richard Armitage, Jing Lusi and Lesley Sharp star in this six-part thriller, which mostly takes place during an all-night flight between London and Beijing. With dead bodies piling up and a mystery to unravel, the heroes must work fast to get to the truth.
The Twelve: This Australian drama originally aired as a miniseries in 2022, with the episodes dropping in the UK in February 2023. Four months later, the show was renewed for a second season. Jurassic Park star Sam Neill stars in the leading role of barrister Brett Colby.
Manhunt: Martin Clunes stars in this drama based on true murder investigations. Series one focused on the death of Amélie Delagrange, which took place in 2004, while the second depicted the search for serial rapist Delroy Grant.
Charlie Redmayne, CEO of HarperCollins Publishers UK, said: 'Barbara Taylor Bradford was a truly exceptional writer whose first book, the international bestseller A Woman of Substance changed the lives of so many who read it - and still does to this day.
"She was a natural storyteller, deeply proud of her Yorkshire roots - she would regale us of her time working on the Yorkshire Evening Post with fellow reporter Keith Waterhouse and trainee photographer Peter O'Toole, the dawn of the Soho café society, and the many happy years shared with the love of her life, her husband, Bob.
"For 45 years, she was a huge part of our company and a great, great friend - we will miss her so much - but there is some solace in the knowledge that she is now, once again, alongside her beloved Bob. A life well-lived.'
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