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Brenda Blethyn details heartwarming family link to new Channel 4 drama

Vera star Brenda Blethyn is transforming into Emma Harte in her upcoming Channel 4 period drama, A Woman of Substance.

[Brenda Blethyn]

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Brenda Blethyn will play Emma Harte in the upcoming Channel 4 drama(Image: ITV)

Vera star Brenda Blethyn has shared a personal link to her new Channel 4 drama which sees her star alongside names like Jessica Reynolds, Emmett J. Scanlan, Harry Cadby and Will Mellor.

A Woman of Substance, which is based on the novel of the same name, launches next week and follows the story of Emma Harte, who starts life as a kitchen maid before a wave of success as a department store tycoon.

However, the plot is full of twists and turns as Emma has dedicated her life to revenge after the betrayal and injustices she suffered when she was younger.

Appearing on Friday's instalment of Lorraine, the actress spoke to presenter Christine Lampard about the role and her personal connection to the character.

She said: "Funnily enough, one of the reasons I was very interested in taking part was my mum started as a skivvy in a big rich house down in Kent around about the same time, maybe a few years after.

[Brenda Blethyn]

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Brenda Blethyn will play Emma Harte in the upcoming Channel 4 drama(Image: ITV)

"That's where she met my dad, who was the chauffeur. My dad was born in 1894s, it's just reminiscent of that and I used to love hearing their stories."

When asked if she remembers the stories her mother told her about working in a rich person's house, Brenda shared that she did.

The actress added: "Yeah, it was such hard work for long hours of the day. You have to save up, money was very tight, and you had to work very hard just to exist."

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[Brenda Blethyn has landed a new role after her exit from Vera]

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Brenda takes on the role of Emma Harte in the period drama(Image: Channel 4)

As Christine mentioned that it must be emotional to play Emma and link it to her own life, Brenda joked that her mother didn't become the richest woman in the world like her character.

Elsewhere in their chat, Brenda was quick to praise the actress playing the younger version of her character, Jessica Reynolds.

She added: "Honest to god, she is absolutely impeccable, her performance is like a breath of fresh air. I can't wait for everyone to see her!"

[Channel 4's A Woman of Substance will star Outlander actress Jessica Reynolds as a young Emma Harte. ]

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Channel 4's A Woman of Substance will star Outlander actress Jessica Reynolds as a young Emma Harte(Image: CHANNEL 4)

A synopsis for the series 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."

A Woman of Substance airs on Channel 4 on Wednesday, 11th March 2026, at 9pm

Lorraine is available to watch weekdays on ITV from 9:30am

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