Vera's Brenda Blethyn cuts a glamorous figure in first trailer for A Woman Of Substance as Channel 4 brings back record-breaking drama after 40 years off screens
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Channel 4 has released the trailer for A Woman Of Substance, marking its return after 40 years off screens.
The drama originally brought in a whopping 13.8 million viewers when the first series aired back in 1985 - bringing to life Barbara Taylor Bradford's bestselling novel of the same name.
The reboot's 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.'
The original starred Jenny Seagrove and Deborah Kerr as the older and younger versions of Emma Hart and received an impressive two Emmy nominations after it was first released in a limited run in the United States.
The role will be played in the reboot by Vera's Brenda Blethyn, 79, and House of Guinness star Jessica Reynolds, 27.
Channel 4 has just released the trailer for a record-breaking drama that's been off screens for a whopping 40 years - A Woman Of Substance - and it stars a glamorous looking Brenda Blethyn
After beginning with a glamorous look at an older Emma, the first-look trailer cuts back in time to show a younger Emma (Jessica Reynolds) struggling through life as a maid - although it is clear that she has big ambitions for her life
A Woman Of Substance originally brought in a whopping 13.8 million viewers when the first series (pictured) aired back in 1985
The trailer begins in New York with a glamorous-looking older Emma (Brenda Blethyn) telling viewers: 'Happens in secret, with neither purpose or aspiration. What I've dedicated my life to is revenge.'
It then cuts back in time to show a younger Emma (Jessica Reynolds) struggling through life as a maid - although it is clear that she has big ambitions for her life.
Emma admits: 'They think they're better than us and if it takes my whole life, I'm going to prove to them that they're wrong.'
The trailer then cuts back to an older Emma, who asks viewers: 'Let's get started, shall we?'
The reboot's trailer has had a mixed reaction from viewers on social media, with some admitting that the original show cannot be matched and others expressing their excitement about its retelling.
Excited fans wrote: 'I love this. Just finished the original.';
'The original with Jenny Segrove and Deborah Kerr was epic. I would like to watch this rendition. I hope it comes to the US.';
'I'm here for Brenda Blethyn.'
The Channel 4 show's 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'
The reboot, which will consist of eight parts, is expected to air at some point this year
The reboot's trailer has had a mixed reaction from viewers on social media, with some admitting that the original show cannot be matched and others expressing their excitement about its retelling
However, more critical viewers couldn't help but admit: 'It just feels like actors in dress up. The original felt real.'
'I am assuming this is "loosely" based on the novel? The tenor of it seems all wrong. The revenge angle is much too obvious - Emma Harte was a wily old bird who never gave her intentions away: that's why she was so successful.'
In an interview with Prima, Brenda explained that the role of Emma particularly resonated with her own impoverished upbringing.
She said: 'I grew up as one of nine children and I know what hardship is, so this story resonated with me.
'I thought about [my parents] a lot when we were making the series. They didn’t have two ha'pennys to rub together. Dad was a chauffeur for this big rich family and my mum worked in service in the house– she progressed from skivvy in the kitchen – just as young Emma did – to become a lady's maid. She was a clever woman, like Emma, who was way before her time.'
The reboot, which will consist of eight parts, is expected to air at some point this year.
