Vera’s Brenda Blethyn has appeared in first-look images of a reimagining of Channel 4 series A Woman of Substance.
The 1984 series, which was based on the 1979 novel of the same name, followed the story of Yorkshire housemaid-turned-mogul Emma Harte, who rises through the ranks of the business world to found a successful department store empire.
Blethyn stars in the lead role of Emma, while she’s joined by Jessica Reynolds, who plays her younger self. The role was previously played by Deborah Kerr and Jenny Seagrove in the 1984 Emmy-nominated version for Channel 4.
New filming images show Blethyn on-set in the role of Harte, where she’s seen wearing a long cream coat, patterned scarf, sunglasses and a rainproof hood. Her hair has also been transformed into a period-drama style for the role.
Speaking about the role, Blethyn said: "I'm overjoyed to be taking on this iconic role, in the footsteps of the great Deborah Kerr.
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"As a fan of [author] Barbara Taylor Bradford, it is an unmissable opportunity to play the fierce Emma Harte."
"To be a part of A Woman of Substance and to step into the shoes of Emma is an absolute dream for me," Reynolds added.
"The team and cast we have behind this are truly inspiring and I'm so excited to bring the stunning scripts and this great piece of literature to the screen."
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Also joining the cast are MobLand's Emmett J Scanlan as Adam Fairley, Gentleman Jack's Lydia Leonard as Olivia Wainwright, Call the Midwife star Sophie Bould as Elizabeth Harte, and Line of Duty stars Leanne Best and Will Mellor as Adele Fairley and Jack Harte.
Doctor Who's Lenny Rush also joins the drama, alongside Ewan Horrocks, Harry Cadby, Niall Wright, Robert Wilfort, Toby Regbo, Hiftu Quasem, and Georgina Sadler.
The eight-part series was penned by The Buccaneers writers Katherine Jakeways and Roanne Bardsley.
Channel 4's commissioning editor for drama Rebecca Holdsworth added: "Attracting an ensemble cast of this quality is testament to Katherine and Roanne's exceptional scripts.
"We are so excited to be bringing this fresh, sexy and bold adaptation of an iconic book to Channel 4."
A Woman of Substance does not yet have a release date.
