*** A Woman of Substance 2026

Spanning six decades, charting the rise of Emma Harte from penniless Yorkshire maid in the early 1900s to powerful 1970s business mogul.

Betrayed by her aristocratic lover and cast out when she becomes pregnant, young Emma vows lifelong revenge against the family she once worked for.

In the 1970s, as she approaches her 80th birthday, betrayal from within Emma's own family threatens everything she's fought a lifetime to build.

*** 1
Ambitious young Yorkshire maid Emma Harte starts a forbidden romance with Edwin Fairley, the son of the master of the house - losing sight of her plan to escape Fairley Hall for a better life. Meanwhile, a transgressive love triangle unfolds between Squire Adam Fairley, his wife, and his wife's sister.
Meanwhile, in 1970s New York, Emma is warned by Jim Fairley that there is a plot to take from her the business empire she has worked her whole life to build.

*** 2
Emma and Edwin fall deeper in love but Emma grapples with what future they can possibly have; they come from different worlds, servant and master. Elsewhere in Fairley Hall, Adam and Olivia embark on their own love affair behind Adele's back, whose erratic behaviour and paranoia worsens.
In the 1970s, Emma reckons with her children's plan to betray her and oust her from the Harte company but is unaware of a secret blossoming romance between her prot g  granddaughter Paula Amory and Jim Fairley.

*** 3
Emma questions whether to leave Fairley and end her romance with Edwin. Adele is getting sober, causing rifts in the household.

*** 4
A heavily pregnant Emma establishes a new life for herself and her baby in Armley. Edwin's fianc e begins to ask questions.

*** 5
Emma is tempted by romance again for the first time since Edwin. A sober Adele returns home, threatening everything.

*** 6
Emma prepares the perfect Christmas for her family, but her obsession with work and revenge brings danger to her door.

*** 7
Britain is at war. To stay afloat Emma takes a huge gamble that could cost her far more than her business.

*** 8
Young Emma's business is failing, but an unlikely alliance may be her lifeline. An unforeseen danger awaits 1970s Emma.