BritBox has secured the streaming rights for the highly anticipated adaptation of A Woman of Substance, based on the bestselling novel by Barbara Taylor Bradford. The new series, which features acclaimed actress Brenda Blethyn and rising star Jessica Reynolds, will premiere in the United States following an agreement with Banijay Rights, responsible for international sales.
The drama, which was originally produced for Channel 4 in the United Kingdom, tells the inspiring rags-to-riches story of Emma Harte, portrayed by Blethyn. The narrative begins in 1911, when Emma is an impoverished maid in Yorkshire, England. Through determination and ambition, she embarks on a remarkable journey that ultimately leads her to become one of the wealthiest women in the world, living in a luxurious penthouse in New York City.
New Series Launches Amid a Legacy of Success
This adaptation follows a successful 1980s miniseries that starred Jenny Seagrove and Deborah Kerr, which remains one of Channel 4’s most celebrated dramas. The original miniseries holds the record for the highest-rated program in the channel’s history. The announcement of the new series comes shortly after the passing of Barbara Taylor Bradford in late 2024, making this adaptation a notable tribute to her work.
Produced by The Forge, known for their innovative storytelling, the series features scripts by Katherine Jakeways and Roanne Bardsley, who previously collaborated on The Buccaneers.
The premiere date for Channel 4 is set for later this year. The excitement surrounding the series has led to significant international interest, with rights also sold to various global platforms. Notably, Foxtel’s streaming service Binge has acquired the series for Australia, while TVNZ has secured the rights for New Zealand. Additional sales include NPO in the Netherlands, Cosmote in Greece, Cellcom TV Plus in Israel, and RUV in Iceland.
Strategic Deal Enhances BritBox’s Offerings
The deal was negotiated by Matt Creasey, Executive Vice President of Sales, Acquisitions, and Coproductions at BritBox. Creasey expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “BritBox is the perfect North American home for this bold new adaptation of Barbara Taylor Bradford’s classic story, which follows Emma Harte’s extraordinary rags-to-riches journey. We’re in no doubt this premium drama will captivate global audiences in what has been an incredible sales effort from the Banijay Rights team.”
The acquisition of A Woman of Substance marks a significant moment in the lead-up to the London TV Screenings, where major distributors such as Banijay, All3Media, ITV Studios, and Fremantle showcase their latest offerings. This year, over 40 sales houses are participating, highlighting the growing demand for compelling television content across various platforms.
As streaming services continue to compete for exclusive and high-quality content, BritBox’s acquisition of A Woman of Substance presents an exciting opportunity to engage audiences with a story that resonates both historically and emotionally.
