Brenda Blethyn’s new Channel 4 drama reboot A Woman of Substance has added Harlan Coben star Jo Joyner. The new drama is based on the 1979 Barbara Taylor Bradford novel, which was previously adapted by the broadcaster in 1985.
Vera’s Brenda Blethyn was confirmed to be taking on the main role of Emma Harte, the “housemaid-turned-mogul, daughter, mother, lover, fighter and a 20th century feminist icon who refused to know her ‘place’”, while House of Guinness’ Jessica Reynolds will play the younger version.
It has now been announced (via Radio Times) that Stay Close star Jo Joyner will take on the role of Elizabeth Harte Ainsley, Emma’s daughter who betrays her mother in an act that spurs revenge.
Fans can also expect to see Kin’s Emmett J Scanlan as Adam Fairley, Gentleman Jack’s Lydia Leonard as Olivia Wainwright, This City Is Ours’ Leanne Best as Adele Fairley, The Last Kingdom’s Ewan Horrocks as Edwin Fairley, Everything Now’s Harry Cadby as Gerald Fairley, Mr Bates vs the Post Office’s Will Mellor as Jack Harte and Doctor Who’s Lenny Rush as Frank Harte.
Also on board are Slow Horses’ Niall Wright as Mac, Gavin and Stacey’s Robert Wilfort as Murgatroyd, Belgravia’s Toby Regbo as Jim Fairley, The Witcher’s Hiftu Quasem as Priya Chandra, Call The Midwife’s Sophie Bould as Elizabeth Harte and Silo’s Georgina Sadler as Polly.
Sam Taylor//Channel 4
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“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 reads.
“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
Co-writer Katherine Jakeways previously said: “The original Channel 4 adaptation was packed full of rolling Yorkshire hills, hairspray, shoulder pads and heaving bosoms and I desperately wanted in.
“So, it’s an incredible thrill for me to be bringing this blockbusting, epic saga of ambition, lust and revenge back to exactly where it belongs… Channel 4.”
A Woman of Substance will air on Channel 4.
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Sam is a freelance reporter and sub-editor who has a particular interest in movies, TV and music. After completing a journalism Masters at City University, London, Sam joined Digital Spy as a reporter, and has also freelanced for publications such as NME and Screen International. Sam, who also has a degree in Film, can wax lyrical about everything from Lord of the Rings to Love Is Blind, and is equally in his element crossing every ‘t’ and dotting every ‘i’ as a sub-editor.