Jessica Reynolds and Emmett J Scanlan have joined the cast of Channel 4's new A Woman of Substance adaptation opposite Brenda Blethyn.
Filming has begun in Yorkshire on the series, in which Reynolds will play the younger version of iconic character Emma Harte, a housemaid-turned-mogul, daughter, mother, lover, fighter and a 20th century feminist icon who refused to know her 'place'. Blethyn plays the older version of the character.
The eight-part series is produced by The Forge Entertainment, a Banijay UK company, and written by Katherine Jakeways (The Buccaneers) and co-written by Roanne Bardsley (The Buccaneers, Screw).
Reynolds was recently IFTA nominated for her supporting role in Kneecap. Emmett J Scanlan, who will play Adam Fairley in the series, is also a three-time IFTA nominee, most recently for his role in KIN.
Also among the cast are Lydia Leonard (The Mirror and The Light, Gentleman Jack) as Olivia Wainwright, Leanne Best (This City Is Ours, G'Wed) as Adele Fairley, Ewan Horrocks (The Last Kingdom, Domina) as Edwin Fairley, Harry Cadby (In Flight, Everything Now) as Gerald Fairley, Will Mellor (Mr Bates vs the Post Office, Line of Duty) as Jack Harte, BAFTA-winning Lenny Rush (Am I Being Unreasonable, Doctor Who) as Frank Harte, Niall Wright (Hope Street, Slow Horses) as Mac, Robert Wilfort (Gavin and Stacey, Wolf Hall) as Murgatroyd, Toby Regbo (Belgravia, A Discovery of Witches) as Jim Fairley, Hiftu Quasem (The Witcher, Ten Percent) as Priya Chandra, Sophie Bould (Call The Midwife, Sex Education) as Elizabeth Harte and Georgina Sadler (Silo, Boarders) as Polly.
The series "begins in 1911 as Emma Harte, an impoverished ambitious maid in Yorkshire, 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."
A previous adaptation of the novel 40 years ago was Emmy-nominated and Channel 4's biggest ever drama.
Brenda Blethyn said: "I'm overjoyed to be taking on this iconic role, in the footsteps of the great Deborah Kerr. As a fan of Barbara Taylor Bradford, it is an unmissable opportunity to play the fierce Emma Harte."
Jessica Reynolds said: "To be a part of A Woman of Substance and to step into the shoes of Emma is an absolute dream for me. The team and cast we have behind this are truly inspiring and I'm so excited to bring the stunning scripts and this great piece of literature to the screen."
Rebecca Holdsworth, Commissioning Editor, Drama at Channel 4 said: "Attracting an ensemble cast of this quality is testament to Katherine and Roanne's exceptional scripts. We are so excited to be bringing this fresh, sexy and bold adaptation of an iconic book to Channel 4."
Broadcast details will be announced soon.
