Vera icon Brenda Blethyn on how personal connection to A Woman of Substance inspired her to take role

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Most people probably recognize me from my long run playing Vera, but I’m really excited about my new role! I’m playing a completely different character in ‘A Woman of Substance‘ – she’s a really stylish, ambitious, and frankly, pretty ruthless businesswoman. It’s a big departure from Vera, and I’m loving it.

Channel 4’s latest drama is adapted from Barbara Taylor Bradford’s popular 1979 novel, and this is actually the second time the story has been made into a TV series.

The series follows Emma Harte (Jessica Reynolds), a hardworking young maid who struggles to support her family.

I recently saw this incredibly moving film about a woman working as a maid in a beautiful, sprawling estate. She falls for one of the owners, but sadly, things take a terrible turn when she gets pregnant. He discovers the news and, unbelievably, throws her out into the world alone. It was heartbreaking to watch!

I was really drawn into Emma’s story – she’s completely reinventing herself, determined to build a life on her own terms. But it’s not just about fresh starts for her; she’s also fueled by a desire for revenge against the Fairley family. What’s fascinating is that this particular storyline actually resonates personally with Brenda Blethyn, which adds another layer to her already incredible performance.

The actress shared a story about her mother while discussing the series. Her mother, though never abused, grew up working as a maid in a large Kent estate where she met her father, who was a chauffeur. She often told the actress about the difficult working conditions and low wages, explaining she frequently had to work three or four jobs just to get by.

When asked if there was a particular reason she wanted the part, Blethyn confirmed, “Yes, definitely.”

When discussing what drew her to the role in a press release for the series, Blethyn mentioned she hadn’t watched the original show, but was familiar with the story. She wasn’t sure if she’d read the book it was based on, but she knew the general plot.

It made me think of my mother, who began her working life as a servant in a large, elegant home – that’s where she met my father, who was the chauffeur. Being the youngest of nine, my mother was already in her forties when I was born, and my dad was in his fifties.

I’ve always been captivated by that era, and that’s what inspired ‘A Woman of Substance.’ My mother was an incredible woman, and I loved hearing her stories about life back then. Like the main character, Emma, she started as a kitchen maid and eventually became a lady’s maid, and she’d tell me about things like brushing the lady’s hair.

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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 suggestions, exclusive features, and more.

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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2026-03-12 15:36