Brenda Blethyn’s A Woman of Substance to Lovejoy – are we in the era of “microwave TV”?

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Ever wondered what Brenda Blethyn would look like playing a glamorous, wealthy character instead of the down-to-earth Vera Stanhope? Now you can see! She’s transformed into Emma Harte, a powerful and incredibly rich woman, sporting designer clothes, sunglasses, and arriving in style in a limousine.

A new version of Barbara Taylor Bradford’s novel, A Woman of Substance, is coming soon. The story was previously adapted as a Channel 4 mini-series in 1985, starring Deborah Kerr and Jenny Seagrove as Emma. This is just one of many new TV adaptations planned for 2026.

It’s a sign of the times – and maybe getting older – when classic TV detectives start getting revived. Inspector Lynley returned to BBC One in January, and a fresh take on Dalziel and Pascoe is coming to ITV this fall. It’s not just police dramas either; they’re even bringing back shows like Lovejoy.

This shows that TV and film creators still believe people love well-known titles, and secretly, that we all crave the comfort of the past when things feel uncertain. The tricky part for them is blending fresh ideas with what longtime fans expect, all while attracting new audiences.

The updated version of Bergerac, which premiered last year and is back for a second season next month, is a good example of how to blend classic elements with a modern approach. The iconic theme music, reminiscent of Shoestring and now featuring an accordion, has been refreshed, and Jim Stillman’s classic burgundy Triumph Roadster remains. However, the show is noticeably missing two key components.

Honestly, they’ve really downplayed the ‘le Bureau des Étrangers’ aspect – it’s just a standard police unit now, and Jim is still the rebellious type. While Zoë Wanamaker is fantastic as Jim’s mother-in-law, no one quite captures the original vibe of Terence Alexander. He was brilliant – that blazer, tie, and cigar while subtly pressuring Jim about a friend who might be dodgy, but was a good sport at the golf club – it was perfect! I suppose that kind of character feels like a thing of the past, but I have such fond memories of him.

The new adaptation of A Woman of Substance is even more sweeping in scope. The original miniseries was Channel 4’s biggest hit, and even after four decades, certain moments are still vividly memorable.

Emma Harte, a kitchen maid in Yorkshire who was abandoned and became pregnant by her employer, Edwin Fairley, rises to become a powerful businesswoman driven by a desire for revenge. I found it particularly amusing when the Harrods department store appeared, with its iconic branding subtly changed to ‘Harte’s’. The phrase ‘tear it down’ now always makes me think of a scene with Jenny Seagrove telling Liam Neeson – playing her friend Blackie – that she intends to purchase Fairley Hall and systematically destroy it, piece by piece.

Similar to the original story, this new version includes some changes – the character Blackie is now named Mac, and there are a few inconsistencies. While a powerful retail executive might have seemed like the ultimate goal when the character was first created, Emma would likely be more relatable as a leader in the tech industry today. The glamorous, over-the-top world of 1970s Manhattan feels out of place in our current economic climate, making those scenes feel more jarring than the portions set in the more subdued era of 1910s Yorkshire.

The show still captivates viewers for all the right reasons – it’s grand in scale, emotionally engaging, and doesn’t rely on cynicism. It’s always satisfying to watch underdogs overcome their oppressors and achieve freedom. I’m just hoping the next installment, planned for 2026, includes a simple conversation about bricks, as a nod to a classic moment.

A Woman of Substance will premiere on Wednesday 11 and Thursday 12 March at 9pm on Channel 4.

Authors

Caroline Frost

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2026-03-11 11:41