A Woman of Substance is premiering tonight on Channel 4 starring Vera legend Brenda Blethyn and Outlander star Jessica Reynolds.
A Woman of Substance filming locations in full as Vera star’s drama debuts(Image: CHANNEL 4)
A Woman of Substance draws from author Barbara Taylor Bradford’s novel, widely regarded as amongst the best-selling books ever published.
Channel 4 unveils its fresh adaptation of A Woman of Substance tonight, Wednesday, March 11, featuring actress Brenda Blethyn in her debut role following the conclusion of ITV drama Vera.
Adapted from the identically titled novel, A Woman of Substance follows housemaid Emma Harte as she challenges societal conventions to establish a worldwide business empire.
Spanning dual timelines, the eight-episode series chronicles Emma’s (portrayed by Jessica Reynolds) ascent from her formative hardships through to the present day, where she (Brenda Blethyn) confronts fresh, unforeseen challenges.
Where was A Woman of Substance filmed?
Captured during spring 2025, sequences depicting young Emma in the early 1900s were shot throughout Yorkshire, with the Grade I-listed Georgian residence Broughton Hall serving as Fairley Hall.
Broughton Hall previously featured as a filming venue in Channel 4’s original 1984 adaptation of A Woman of Substance.
Broughton Hall is the 16th Century manor house situated at the centre of the 3,000 acre Broughton Sanctuary estate.
Whilst the property remains unchanged, it’s now encompassed by the sanctuary, housing the Avalon Wellbeing Centre and offering holiday accommodation available for guest bookings.
Production teams were additionally observed at Ilkley Moor, Barnsley Town Hall and at Brodsworth Hall and Gardens in Doncaster.
Speaking about the use of Brodsworth Hall in the series, a representative from English Heritage said: “Last year we were pleased to welcome a production company, filming scenes for an adaption of Barbara Taylor Bradford’s A Woman of Substance.
“Filming took place within our Servants’ Wing, Laburnam Arch and Target House/Range and we are extremely excited and proud to see Brodsworth on the small screen!”.
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Reynolds, who portrays the younger version of Emma Harte, shared her experiences of filming in Yorkshire with Country and Town House.
She said: ‘I know the crew worry about wind and rain, but I just love being able to have nature around me and working off the elements.
“I feel much less self-conscious, and freer.
“Some of the locations were just breathtaking and those are the images that stick in my mind today when I think back to filming; Yorkshire is just stunning.
“Those are some of Emma’s happiest moments too, when she’s so connected to the land – it’s a beautiful thing.”
Meanwhile, the contemporary scenes featuring Vera legend Blethyn, which are supposed to be set in New York, were actually filmed in Liverpool.
This isn’t the first time Liverpool has served as a stand-in for New York in film production, with major films including Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and 2022’s The Batman also shot in the UK city.
A Woman of Substance premieres on Wednesday, March 11, at 9pm on Channel 4.