‘A Woman of Substance’: British Mystery Icon Brenda Blethyn Returns to TV in a Brand-New Adaptation!!

After 14 years, 56 episodes, and too many murders to count, Brenda Blethyn‘s Vera officially hung up her famous hat and called it a day on solving the most complex of crimes in Northumberland, England. However, just four months after the final episode aired, accompanied by a special documentary, the Vera star is set to return to our screens in another famous British title, this time in an adaptation of Barbara Taylor Bradford’s beloved novel, A Woman of Substance. According to Radio Times, the British legend will be starring in the Channel 4 eight-part series as Emma Harte, with filming currently underway in Yorkshire.

Speaking of her involvement in the project, Blethyn said, “I’m overjoyed to be taking on this iconic role, in the footsteps of the great Deborah Kerr.” She continued, “As a fan of Barbara Taylor Bradford, it is an unmissable opportunity to play the fierce Emma Harte.” This adaptation marks the second for Channel 4, with the first coming four decades ago in 1985, with a British-American serial starring Jenny Seagrove, Barry Bostwick, and the aforementioned Kerr in the role now occupied by Blethyn.

Turning this beloved novel into eight parts is no mean feat, with the source material having millions of fans worldwide and scrutiny likely to be high. It will then come as a welcome nerve-settler for fans to learn that the official synopsis for the series reads like a doting homage to the source material. “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,” the synopsis begins, continuing, “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.”

Who Else is Starring in ‘A Woman of Substance’

Blethyn is a British icon and an actress with an enormous pedigree. Despite being the face of one of the UK’s best-loved detective shows for over a decade, Blethyn still benefited from a talented ensemble as a constant around her. This is much the same as the upcoming A Woman of Substance, with Blethyn joined in an eye-catching ensemble by several other talented names. This includes the likes of Outlander‘s Jessica Reynolds, who will play a younger version of Blethyn‘s Emma Harte, Emmet J Scanlan, Lydia Leonard, Leanne Best, Ewan Horrocks, Harry Cadby, Will Mellor, rising star Lenny Rush, Niall Wright, Robert Wilfort, Toby Regbo, Hiftu Quasem, Sophie Bould, and Georgina Sadler of Silo fame.

A Woman of Substance is currently in production. You can check out Brenda Blethyn‘s Vera right now on Britbox.

via Collider