A WOMAN OF SUBSTANCE - Wed&Thur - ch4 9pm - TV PACE NO SPOILERS

[Blondeshavemorefun]

A woman of substance Was originally aired 41 years ago and remains channel 4 highest rated program with 13.8 million people tuning in to the rags to riches story of by BARBARA Taylor Bradford

this drama eight episodes - two a week for four weeks

This new adaptation stars as the older EMMA who heads up a business empire we discover as she stepped back through the decades to meet her younger self that she started out of a maid in a big Yorkshire house

This is a story to climb from poverty to great wealth

I don’t think I’ve ever read any of her books so should be interesting if any good

The trailer looks very hammy.

@musicalfrog Thanks for that. I was never able to take to Martin Shaw again after I read his unpleasant criticism disparaging "The Professionals". Okay, it wasn't the classiest of shows (once read it described as a "thick-eared Sweeney" which was probably pretty accurate), but I didn't mind it, and it sort of revelled in its thick-earedness. I thought it was a bit tasteless on his part when the show gave him his start. I felt his implication was that he was too good for such dross.

I have never have claimed to be logical in my likes and dislikes.

Just remembered PD James" Dalgliesh books. I read a lot of them, but never really warmed to the character, who always came across as a bit up himself. I did, however, like Roy Marsden in the role, and I couldn't take to Martin Shaw when he played it. Sadly I do overthink.

@Tezza1 absolutely fair enough, and I can understand you on the overthinking - I'm a bit the same!

However I never saw the Professionals nor heard his comments so I guess I was lucky in that respect!

How Maryin Shaw got into this thread I do not know since as far as I am aware he was not in original Woman of Substance or this remake but anyway back to the new version.

I think that Brenda Blethyn is going to do right by Emma Harte. Brenda really is of working class stock so I think she could get inside the motivation of a woman who has made good by hard toil in a way that Deborah Kerr never could. To me DK was too polished. I will watch it with an open mind.

Watched the new updated version trailer today, looks good. Good point about Brenda @Wildhampster

I loved the book and original series which I tried to watch again recently, just by coincidence. I gave up as it was so dated, but I’m looking forgot the new one.

Let’s hope it’s a good remake

I’m a bit put off by the overwrought trailer, young Emma’s voice puts my teeth on edge I do like Brenda Blethyn so might give it a go.

I’ve binged this weekend, it’s dated, but it’s brought back so many memories, I didn’t care!

Yes i read them all as a teen too. A Woman of Substance Hold The Dream and To Be The Best. I also watched the original mini series of them all AWOS and HTD had Jenny Seagrove and Deborah Kerr as older and younger Emma but TBTB had Lindsey Wagner. Might be an idea for us to keep an eye on the nostalgia channels like Talking Pictures TV who may well show the original mini series off the back of this.
I wonder who is playing Paul McGill the love of Emmas life.

Oh no, I fear I am going to not enjoy the remake. The original is amazing and is etched on my heart. I remember shoving the video in the video machine and rewinding and forwarding to all my favourite bits! Loved Paul McGill!

I hated the Lindsay Wagner adaptation. I tried a couple of times and found it dire.

I’ve just downloaded the mini series from 1984; from channel 4, but I’ve not watched any yet. I think I read the books serialised in a Woman’s magazine in the 80s on my commute to and from work.

Starts tonight at 9

tv people obv don’t chat to each other on diff channels

tonight we have all at 9pm

itv - the stolen girl e3
ch4 - the woman of substance e1
ch 5 - Ellis e2

I will have to watch one of them at 8 online /via apps

Oh I read all the books as a teenager. Couldn't put them down.
I am tempted by this as I love Brenda Blethyn 💕

Jenny Seagrove was with Michael Winner for years.

Only 5 years. She was with Bill Kenwright for much longer, from 1994 until he died in 2023

Seems ok so far

Some predictable changes and updates, some changes I think will impact the story line, some elements already missing that were better originally but then I loved the book when I read it, so I'm comparing it. Worth a watch though.

You mean Local Hero!

I'm watching now. I am finding it a bit crap. Fairly obviously made to export to a US audience.

Mack? it was Blackie O Neil in the original series and the books

Can't compute Emmett Scanlan as a posh Englishmen.

Im also watching on Channel four plus one

Wonder if they thought the name could be offensive?