Channel 4's hit period drama, A Woman of Substance, is reportedly set to return for a second season. The revenge series, starring Brenda Blethyn, will air on the broadcaster in 2027, with filming expected to begin in November, according to TV Zone.
While Channel 4 has yet to announce a recommission, Brenda previously expressed her hopes for the show's return. She told HELLO!: "I want to know what happens next!"
© Channel 4/The Forge/Sam TaylorGiven the show's massive success – becoming Channel 4's most-watched new drama since 2021's It's A Sin – it's easy to see why audiences have hailed it as a "masterpiece." It feels almost inevitable that Channel 4 would greenlight a second season, especially with Brenda Blethyn herself eager to pick up Emma Harte's story where she left off. Our fingers are firmly crossed!
What is A Woman of Substance about?
Based on Barbara Taylor Bradford's iconic, multi-million-copy bestseller, this eight-part drama charts the rise of Emma Harte.
© Channel 4/The Forge/Sam TaylorThe series unfolds across two timelines, capturing Emma's beginnings as a "penniless" maid in Yorkshire and her later life as a "powerful" business mogul. While Jessica Reynolds (Outlander) plays the younger, fiery version of Emma, Brenda portrays the older business titan.
The synopsis reads: "1911. Emma Harte, an impoverished ambitious maid in Yorkshire, England goes on a dizzying journey to become the world’s richest woman, gazing down from a sprawling luxury New York penthouse. A rags-to-riches tale of women through the 20th century, Emma defies the expectations of her society, fearlessly challenging the roles she's given, smashing glass ceilings, and never, ever deviating from her masterplan: Get to the top. Whatever it takes."
© Channel 4/The Forge/Sam TaylorThe story struck a chord with Brenda, who grew up in a council house in Ramsgate with her eight siblings, her father, William, a chauffeur, and her mother, Louisa, whose first job was "gathering acorns for a local pig farmer" before she "worked as a skivvy in this posh house".
"I could understand Emma's struggle, and how important it was just to get a couple more shillings a week. My mum had three jobs to make ends meet," Brenda told HELLO!
"We had a rather Victorian upbringing. You're taught that if you want anything, you've got to work for it. Nothing's going to be handed to you on a plate, especially if you're working-class."
What could happen in season two?
Warning! Spoilers for season one ahead!
Season one ended on a major cliffhanger, with Emma confronting her family about their betrayal and offering them a cheque of £1 million each to buy them out of the company.
© Channel 4/The Forge/Sam TaylorShe also told her daughter, Edwina (Rosie Cavaliero), the true identity of her father before signing the business over to her granddaughter Paula (Mara Huf). It's later revealed that Paula had eloped with Jim Fairley and is pregnant with his child.
It's possible that the show could follow the events of the book series, as the second novel, Hold the Dream, follows Paula's journey as she takes over the company.
A Woman of Substance is available to stream on Channel 4.
