A Woman of Substance review: Brenda Blethyn isn’t the only scene-stealer in this rompy remake

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A star rating of 3 out of 5.

Brenda Blethyn is known for playing Detective Vera Stanhope on ITV for 14 years, always sporting her trademark hat and coat. Now, many of her fans will likely be watching ‘A Woman of Substance‘ to see her take on a completely different character.

The trailer and promotional photos create a strong impression of Brenda Blethyn as the star of this new Channel 4 drama, but she actually has less screen time than you might expect. In fact, Jessica Reynolds (known for ‘House of Guinness’) is the true leading lady and deserves the most recognition for this adaptation.

Both actresses play the main character, Emma Harte, but Reynolds takes the lead in portraying Emma during the most central part of the story.

Blethyn is a strong and reliable presence throughout the series, appearing at the beginning and end of each episode and keeping the audience invested in Emma’s success. We mostly see her in the New York office where she runs her company, and she’s grappling with the idea that providing her children with everything they’ve ever wanted may have made them a little spoiled.

Many viewers will be discovering ‘A Woman of Substance’ for the first time, while others will remember the original three-part series that aired on Channel 4 in 1985. This new adaptation is based on Barbara Taylor Bradford’s popular 1979 novel and comes from Katherine Jakeways, the creator of ‘The Buccaneers,’ so it promises to be a captivating and passionate historical drama.

With popular shows like The Buccaneers, Bridgerton, and The Gilded Age, and the new film adaptation of Wuthering Heights generating buzz, period dramas are becoming more daring and sensual. It’s fantastic to finally see productions created with a female perspective leading the way, and A Woman of Substance is a perfect example – a relatable and well-made story clearly shaped by its female creators.

I absolutely love that this show doesn’t shy away from being both sexy and dramatic – honestly, that’s exactly what historical dramas should be! We get those classic, intimate scenes you’d expect, and even some bolder moments – like when Emma and Edwin get a little cozy in a cave by the sea! While maybe the passion isn’t quite as intense as in some other shows, it’s still incredibly enjoyable and a lot of fun to watch.

It’s hard for most of us today to imagine what it was like being a maid in a grand British estate. But Emma’s story, at its heart, is about someone underestimated and overlooked. We know she’ll eventually fall for the master of the house, Edwin, but a part of us wants her to resist his charms. Of course, if she did, there wouldn’t be a story to tell.

What makes ‘A Woman of Substance’ so captivating is its predictability. Seeing Barbara Blethyn as a successful and well-dressed businesswoman with a large family immediately tells you how the story will unfold, and that’s actually part of its charm.

Emma experiences a devastating betrayal when Edwin learns she’s pregnant and promises to make his whole family pay. The details of her elaborate revenge plan, and what keeps her driven after all this time, will be captivating for viewers – but also incredibly intense and disturbing.

Even if it’s not as extreme as shown on TV, unfair power imbalances still exist in the world today. That’s why watching Emma – a woman who faced many obstacles – succeed so boldly in a time when men held most of the power is so inspiring and uplifting.

Reynolds delivers a truly remarkable performance, bringing Emma and her life story to life with great emotion. She also skillfully portrays how Emma changes and develops over time. This new adaptation of ‘A Woman of Substance,’ with eight episodes, covers a lot of ground and moves quickly through the years to tell Emma’s full story – a significant expansion compared to the 1980s version.

Throughout the series, Emma’s strong Yorkshire accent – remarkably portrayed by an Irish actress – gradually fades as she ages and adapts her speech to fit different situations. Her fashion sense evolves as she develops her design skills, but her determined spirit remains a consistent and defining trait.

The show is at its best when introducing Emma, revealing her difficult family history – with a particularly moving performance by Lenny Rush as her brother, Frank – and establishing her relationships with Mac, a coworker, and Adele, the head of the Fairley household. Spending time with Emma during this period is crucial for understanding her later choices.

Despite all the effort put into developing Emma’s character, the recent episodes feel surprisingly short-lived and don’t quite live up to the potential built up beforehand.

It’s amazing how quickly Emma transformed into a successful businesswoman, but the story felt rushed. I wish we’d seen more of her life before the older version of the character appeared. The most interesting part of Emma’s journey – her growth and development – felt shortchanged. We jumped from her being a maid to a seamstress, then suddenly she owned a business and had enough influence to cross paths with the Fairleys. It felt like a missed opportunity to explore that crucial period in more detail.

Emma deeply values her family, which makes some of her decisions frustrating. For example, abandoning her father and brother when they needed her seems out of character. Later in the series, the explanation of her being a simply ‘busy mother’ to excuse her distance from her children and husband feels like an oversimplification.

Reynolds is a standout performer, bringing a wonderful mix of humor, optimism, and emotional depth to every episode. While Blethyn has less time on screen, she really shines towards the end as the plot gets more dramatic. The story has plenty of twists and turns, definitely leaving room for another season.

The show’s scenes set in the 1970s feel similar to the recent series Rivals, sharing that same intense and dramatic atmosphere. Brenda Blethyn delivers a compelling performance as the family’s matriarch, uncovering significant secrets along the way.

This series explores timeless and important themes, all within a dramatic story of revenge. But what really makes ‘A Woman of Substance’ compelling is how easily it draws you in – you’ll want to watch it all the way through, thanks to its captivating female leads.

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

Don’t miss ‘A Woman of Substance’! Add it to your watchlist on the TopMob: What to Watch app. Download the app today for daily TV recommendations and exclusive content.

Authors

Morgan CormackDrama Writer

Morgan Cormack writes about TV and streaming drama for TopMob. Before that, she was an Entertainment Writer at Stylist. She also has experience in content marketing and freelancing, and holds a degree in English Literature.

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2026-03-11 19:35