Channel 4, in partnership with The Barbara Taylor Bradford Trust and HM Treasury, hosted a special reception at No.11 Downing Street yesterday (Wednesday 1 April 2026) to celebrate the new Channel 4 adaptation of A Woman of Substance, and to champion women across television, the creative industries, business and public life, following International Women’s Day.

A Woman of Substance is the brand-new eight-part drama for Channel 4, reimagining Barbara Taylor Bradford OBE’s classic rags-to-riches story for a contemporary audience. First adapted by Channel 4 more than 40 years ago – when it became the Channel’s biggest ever drama and received two Emmy nominations – the new series, set and filmed in Yorkshire, follows Emma Harte, an ambitious housemaid in Yorkshire in 1911 whose extraordinary drive propels her from poverty to becoming one of the most powerful women in the world.

Hosted by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the event honoured Barbara Taylor Bradford OBE, the Leeds-born author whose international bestselling novels have earned her a place among the most influential British writers of the 20th and 21st centuries. It also recognised the creative vision behind bringing this iconic story to the screen, while reflecting on the themes of ambition, determination and enterprise at the heart of A Woman of Substance — themes that continue to resonate strongly with audiences today.

The reception also brought together women from across television and the wider creative industries, recognising the talent, leadership and breadth of experience represented the UK’s creative industries. Women make up close to half of the UK workforce, but are consistently under‑represented in senior leadership across the creative and cultural industries, highlighting the importance of diversity and representation both on and off screen, and the role organisations such as Channel 4 play in championing inclusive storytelling, nurturing creative talent and ensuring the UK’s creative industries reflect the audiences they serve.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said:

“Women are driving the global success of Britain’s creative industries – in studios, on stage, and in business.

As the first female Chancellor I am committed to backing that talent, breaking down barriers to opportunity and ensuring the sector continues to create good jobs and deliver for working people across the country.”

Priya Dogra, Chief Executive of Channel 4, said:

Channel 4 exists to tell stories that challenge, represent and reflect the whole of the UK. A Woman of Substance, based on the iconic novel by Barbara Taylor Bradford, brings that mission to life – a distinctive British drama, rooted in Yorkshire and resonating with audiences across the country. We’re delighted to see it recognised at this reception.

H.E. Vicki Downey, Trustee of The Barbara Taylor Bradford Trust, said:

“We are honoured to see A Woman of Substance recognised in such a distinguished setting. Barbara Taylor Bradford’s writing has always championed the strength, ambition and determination of women forging their own path, themes that remain as relevant today as ever. As a proud Yorkshirewoman, Barbara would have been especially pleased to see this celebration hosted by the UK’s first female Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, MP for Leeds West, where Barbara spent her formative years. The Trust is delighted to see her work recognised in a way that continues to inspire and resonate with readers and audiences alike.”

Based on the multi-million bestselling novel and global phenomenon written by Barbara Taylor Bradford, first look images of the iconic character Emma Harte have been released for A Woman of Substance, a brand-new adaptation of the classic novel. Previously Emmy-nominated and Channel 4’s biggest ever drama when it was made 40 years ago, this new revenge romp feels as searingly relevant today as it did back then.

Coming to Channel 4 next year, the images feature Brenda Blethyn and Jessica Reynolds as the two versions of Emma Harte; a housemaid turned-mogul, daughter, mother, lover, fighter and a 20th century feminist icon who refused to know her ‘place’.

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.

Produced by The Forge Entertainment (National Treasure, The Buccaneers, Marriage), a Banijay UK company, the eight-part series is written by Katherine Jakeways and co-written by Roanne Bardsley. A Woman of Substance will be distributed internationally by Banijay Rights.

A Woman of Substance was commissioned for Channel 4 by Rebecca Holdsworth, Commissioning Editor and Gwawr Lloyd, Acting Head of Drama. Executive producers are

Beth Willis, Joe Innes, George Faber, Katherine Jakeways and The Barbara Taylor Bradford Trust. Roanne Bardsley is co-executive producer, and Charlie Palmer is the producer. John Hardwick directs block one, Samantha Harries for block two and Richard Senior for block three.

Filming took place in Yorkshire and transmission details will be announced in due course.

Barbara Taylor Bradford

A Man of Honour

11th November 2021 | HB | $25.49

The prequel to A Woman of Substance, the gripping million-copy bestseller

‘An extravagant, absorbing novel of love, courage, ambition, war, death and passion.’

New York Times

Opening five years before the start of A Woman of Substance, A Man of Honour begins with 13-year-old Blackie O’Neill facing an uncertain future in rural County Kerry Orphaned and alone, he has just buried his sister, Bronagh, and must leave his home to set sail for England, in search of a better life with his mother’s brother in Leeds. There, he learns his trade as a navvy, amid the grand buildings and engineering triumphs of one of England’s most prosperous cities, and starts to dream of greater things… And then, high on the Yorkshire moors, in the mists of a winter morning he meets a kitchen maid called Emma Harte.

In A Man of Honour, the true Blackie O’Neill is revealed. For the first time, readers discover his story: his tumultuous life, the obstacles facing him, the desire he has to throw off the impotence of poverty and move up in the world. Like his friend Emma, he is ambitious, driven, disciplined, and determined to make it to the top. And like Emma Harte, he is an unforgettable character for the millions who loved the book.

Barbara Taylor Bradford

Barbara Taylor Bradford OBE was born and raised in England. She left school at 15 for the typing pool at the Yorkshire Evening Post. At 18, she became the paper’s first woman’s editor and, at 20, moved to London and became a columnist and editor on Fleet Street. She was married to her beloved husband, television producer Robert Bradford, for 55 years until he died in July 2019.

Barbara’s first novel, A Woman of Substance, is one of the bestselling novels of all time and her books have sold more than 90 million copies worldwide. Ten of her books have been produced as TV films or drama series starring actors including Liam Neeson, Anthony Hopkins, Jenny Seagrove, Deborah Kerr, Sir John Mills and Elizabeth Hurley.

In 2007, Barbara was appointed an OBE by the Queen for her services to literature. She is also the recipient of 25 other awards for her writing achievements and philanthropy.

In 2014, Barbara became an ambassador for the National Literacy Trust, an independent UK charity that transforms lives through literacy, and is passionate about empowering girls to write and let their voices be heard through their stories.

In 2019 Barbara was made the first ever Ambassador for Women in Journalism and will raise the profile of the organisation and promote it on both sides of the Atlantic. She currently lives in New York.

A Woman of Substance

• First published in 1979, A Woman of Substance is one of the bestselling novels of all time with more than 30 million copies sold.
• The original manuscript took two years to write, weighed 16.5 lbs and ran to 1,520 pages.
• Barbara describes the leading character of her novel, Emma Harte, as, “a woman who was strong, independent, driven, ambitious, courageous – willing to go out and put herself on the line and do something. I created a woman who wanted to conquer the world.”

A WOMAN’S AMBITION… In the brooding moors above a humble Yorkshire village stood Fairley Hall. There, Emma Harte, its oppressed but resourceful servant girl, acquired a shrewd determination. There, she honed her skills, discovered the meaning of treachery, learned to survive, to become a woman, and vowed to make her mark on the world.

A JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME… In the wake of tragedy she rose from poverty to magnificent wealth as the iron-willed force behind a thriving international enterprise. As one of the richest women in the world Emma Harte has almost everything she fought so hard to achieve-save for the dream of love, and for the passion of the one man she could never have.

A DREAM FULFILLED-AND AVENGED. Through two marriages, two devastating wars, and generations of secrets, Emma’s unparalleled success has come with a price. As greed, envy, and revenge consume those closest to her, the brilliant matriarch now finds herself poised to outwit her enemies, and to face the betrayals of the past with the same ingenious resolve that forged her empire.