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Season 1 – A Woman of Substance

Play trailer 1:47 Poster for Season 1 – A Woman of Substance Mar 2026 Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
93% Tomatometer 15 Reviews 66% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Charts the rags-to-riches rise of working-class Emma Harte from impoverished maid in early 1900s Yorkshire to 1970s business mogul ruling the New York skyline.
A Woman of Substance — Season 1

What to Know

Critics Consensus

With a heroine worth rooting for and enough delicious intrigue to keep the drama humming along, A Woman of Substance is unapologetically old-fashioned in all the right ways.

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Critics Reviews

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Melanie McFarland Salon.com Jul 21
Despite the vast trove of limited series available these days, over-the-top ‘80s-style melodramas like this, sagas laced with delectable malice, simply do not exist today. “A Woman of Substance” reminds me of how much I’ve missed them. Go to Full Review John Anderson Wall Street Journal Jun 30
The people behind “A Woman of Substance” know what fans of Bradford and Emma are looking for. The series is tailored accordingly. Go to Full Review Moira MacDonald Seattle Times Jun 23
While it veers from the book in a number of key plot points, it’s an enjoyably soapy wallow that will remind you of other and maybe better shows, but nonetheless keep you watching. Go to Full Review Julia Swift My Champlain Valley Jul 26
6/10
Both inspiring and a bit over the top. The production design will transport you to a different time and place while the acting will help you overlook even the most unearned story twists. Go to Full Review Lara Kretler Pop Culture Leftovers Jul 15
If you’re a fan of strong female main characters and "girl power," you’ll love A Woman of Substance. By the end, I was so enamored with Emma that I plan to seek out the books to dive even deeper into her story. Go to Full Review Victoria Luxford Collider Jun 24
6/10
A Woman of Substance may not hit the same heights as the best period dramas out there, but at its best, it offers some delicious intrigue that makes you eager to stick with it until the end. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Alain E @AlainE Aug 18 The first impression is quite soapoperish. In the opening scene a young man gets inside the limo of the very rich protagonist and then follows her all the way inside her office at the headquarters of her empire. I am surprised she has not been kidnapped yet. Not worth my time. See more gerald D @RT46512237 Aug 17 Semi faithful retelling of Barbara Taylor Bradford book. But that is not my issue with this mini series. My issue is with the number of holes in the plot and the sloppily written dialogue. My other issue is the way they play loose with the facts, culture, and social structure of the historical past of early 20th century England. See more Aggie N @Aggie Aug 12 I thought some parts were a little slow but overall I thought the cast was really good and the last episode was a wild ride. It definitely is set up for another season. See more David S @LuckyAce Aug 11 The movie was good fun, well acted and beautiful. See more Maggie S @mag5789 Aug 8 I really enjoyed it and loved the twist at the very end. See more Rachael F @RT6789003217 Aug 6 It's definitely melodramatic, but that's part of the appeal. I binged the whole thing over the weekend and never once thought about stopping. See more Read all reviews
A Woman of Substance — Season 1

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Jessica Reynolds

Young Emma Harte

Emmett Scanlan

Adam Fairley

Lydia Leonard

Olivia Wainwright

Leanne Best

Adele Fairley

Brenda Blethyn

Emma Harte

Rosie Cavaliero

Edwina, Countess of Dunvale

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Mar 11, 2026 Charts the rags-to-riches rise of Emma Harte from maid to business mogul; in the 1970s, Emma faces a coup from within her family empire, while in 1911, teenage Emma grapples with a forbidden romance. Details Episode 2 Aired Mar 12, 2026 As young Emma and Edwin's forbidden love blossoms, she questions whether they can ever overcome their class differences; in the 1970s, Emma reckons with her children's plan to oust her from the Harte empire. Details Episode 3 Aired Mar 18, 2026 Can Emma take Mac's offer to leave Fairley, and Edwin, for good?; meanwhile, Adele's sobriety re-ignites her marriage with Adam, which causes rifts in the Fairley household. Details Episode 4 Aired Mar 19, 2026 A pregnant Emma establishes a new life for herself, while Edwin's fiancée Priya begins to ask questions; in the 1970s, Emma confronts her eldest daughter, Edwina, and discovers Paula's secret romance. Details Episode 5 Aired Mar 25, 2026 Charts the rags-to-riches rise of working-class Emma Harte from impoverished maid in early 1900s Yorkshire to 1970s business mogul ruling the New York skyline. Details Episode 6 Aired Mar 26, 2026 Charts the rags-to-riches rise of working-class Emma Harte from impoverished maid in early 1900s Yorkshire to 1970s business mogul ruling the New York skyline. Details Episode 7 Aired Apr 1, 2026 Charts the rags-to-riches rise of working-class Emma Harte from impoverished maid in early 1900s Yorkshire to 1970s business mogul ruling the New York skyline. Details Episode 8 Aired Apr 2, 2026 Charts the rags-to-riches rise of working-class Emma Harte from impoverished maid in early 1900s Yorkshire to 1970s business mogul ruling the New York skyline. Details

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A Woman of Substance — Season 1

A Woman of Substance: Limited Series Trailer A Woman of Substance: Limited Series Trailer 1:47 Now Playing View more videos
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A Woman of Substance — Season 1

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Season Info

Director
John Hardwick, Richard Senior, Samantha Harrie
Executive Producer
Beth Willis, George Faber, Katherine Jakeways, Joe Innes
Screenwriter
Katherine Jakeways, Roanne Bardsley, Barbara Taylor Bradford
Network
BritBox
Genre
Drama
Original Language
British English
Release Date
Mar 11, 2026
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