Having aired just a few months ago, the future of A Woman of Substance has now been unveiled – and it’s been confirmed that the Channel 4 drama will be returning for a second season.
As fans of the show will know, things left on a shocking note at the end of season 1 as Emma Harte was left speechless by the news that her granddaughter Paula (Mara Huf) had not only married Jim Fairley (Toby Regbo), but was also pregnant with his child.
Despite Emma’s lifetime achievements and revenge mission to ensure Fairley Hall was hers, it looked as though her plans were slowly slipping away after naming Paula as the heir to her entire business empire.
Well, it looks as though all of that and more will be explored in A Woman of Substance season 2, as it’s been confirmed that both Brenda Blethyn and Jessica Reynolds will be reprising their co-leading roles as the younger and older versions of protagonist Emma Harte.
With the dual timelines unfolding across the first season, we saw how Emma transformed her life from being a maid wrapped up in an illicit love story of her own to being betrayed and then using that as fuel to make a better life for herself. As we see in Blethyn’s version of the character, Emma goes on to be one of the most successful businesswomen in the world but we’re soon set to see just how she got there.
According to Channel 4’s description of season 2: “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…”
It’s no real surprise that the drama has been renewed, with it quickly garnering lots of critical acclaim upon release and also leaving us all on a fitting cliffhanger. The series also became Channel 4 streaming’s most-watched drama in five years (since It’s a Sin), with an average audience of 3 million per episode.
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Based on the novels written by Barbara Taylor Bradford OBE, the second instalment will once again be written by Katherine Jakeways (The Buccaneers) and Roanne Bardsley (The Buccaneers). On the announcement of season 2, they commented: “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.”
Gwawr Lloyd, interim head of Channel 4 drama, also said: “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.”
As of now, a release date hasn’t yet been set for the second season but filming will kick off in Yorkshire later this year so watch this space.
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A Woman of Substance is available to stream on Channel 4.
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