actress Brenda Blethyn has secured a new role with Death in Paradise and Line of Duty star Will Mellor, just months after stepping down from her role as Detective Vera Stanhope.

Brenda, who will play Emma Harte, has commenced filming for a fresh adaptation of A Woman of Substance for Channel 4.

Jessica Reynolds will join Brenda in the series, playing the younger version of the iconic character - a housemaid turned mogul, daughter, mother, lover, fighter, and feminist icon of the 20th century who defied societal expectations.

Several other renowned actors will also be part of the star-studded cast, including Emmett J Scanlan as Adam Fairley, Lydia Leonard as Olivia Wainwright, Leanne Best as Adele Fairley, Ewan Horrocks as Edwin Fairley, and Harry Cadby as Gerald Fairley.

Death in Paradise actor Will Mellor will portray Jack Harte, BAFTA-winning Lenny Rush as Frank Harte, Niall Wright as Mac, Gavin and Stacey's Robert Wilfort as Murgatroyd, Toby Regbo as Jim Fairley, and Hiftu Quasem as Priya Chandra, reports Chronicle Live.

Completing the cast will be Call the Midwife actress Sophie Bould, who will play Elizabeth Harte, and Georgina Sadler as Polly.

The synopsis for the upcoming series states: "Emma Harte, an impoverished, ambitious maid in Yorkshire, England, embarks on a whirlwind journey to become the world's wealthiest woman, looking out 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 master plan: Get to the top. Whatever it takes."

The upcoming remake promises a fresh take on the ground-breaking mini-series that, when released 40 years ago by Channel 4, garnered an Emmy nomination and stood as its paramount drama at the time. The story springs from the pages of Barbara Taylor Bradford's hugely successful novel.

Brenda couldn't hide her excitement when discussing her casting: "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 was equally thrilled: "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."

In a move that surprised many earlier this year, Brenda announced her departure from Vera, citing the longing for family time as a pivotal reason for her exit.

"It was a lovely summer back in 2023. And I came to realise I hadn't had a summer with my husband for 14 years," she shared, reflecting on what prompted her decision.

"Of course, I missed my family. And my dog Jack, although he was with me in the North East, but I didn't see him much because I was working all day. I love my Vera family, but I love my other family too."