Halifax actor stars in major Channel 4 drama A Woman of Substance

Ewan Horrocks stars in the series based on the best-selling novel by Barbara Taylor Bradford OBE.

A Woman of Substance is an epic drama spanning six decades, charting the rise of Emma Harte from penniless Yorkshire maid in the early 1900s to powerful 1970s business mogul.

Ewan plays Edwin Fairley, the youngest son of the wealthy Fairley family.

Destined for a career in law but with obligations to the Fairley business, Edwin is learning the ropes at the family mill and craving the approval of his domineering father.

But Edwin’s harbouring a secret passion for Emma, a maid in the family household.

The former Brooksbank School pupil has also appeared in Netflix’s The Last Kingdom and Seven Kings Must Die as well as Sky Atlantic's Domina.

A Woman of Substance stars Brenda Blethyn and Jessica Reynolds as Emma in a story that spans six decades.

Based on the beloved novel by Barbara Taylor Bradford OBE, it has been adapted for the screen by Katherine Jakeways.

Speaking about the stellar ensemble cast for the series, Katherine said: “Yes it was vital to get the casting right and it’s been so exciting.

"We knew we needed to get an amazing actor to play older Emma, someone with a twinkle in her eye, and we really lucked out.

"Brenda [Blethyn] is such a hero, I’m a big fan, and I used to love her sitcom Outside Edge and the work she did with Mike Leigh.

"She's so clever, sharp and insightful, and so funny on screen and off.

"And then Jessica [Reynolds], wow, she’s amazingly talented and was such a trooper – she worked all the hours in all weathers carrying the load of Emma Harte, she gave everything to it.

"I hope you’ll fall in love with lots of the characters, the cast are so brilliant.”

A Woman of Substance continues on Channel 4 on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 9pm will all episodes available to watch online.

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