1911. Emma Harte, an impoverished ambitious maid in Yorkshire, England 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.
Previously Emmy-nominated and Channel 4’s biggest ever drama when it was made 40 years ago, this new revenge romp is a re-imagining of the multi-million bestselling novel and global phenomenon written by Barbara Taylor Bradford, which feels just as searingly relevant today as it did back then.
The series stars Brenda Blethyn as Emma Harte and Jessica Reynolds as the younger version of the iconic character, a housemaid-turned-mogul, daughter, mother, lover, fighter and a 20th century feminist icon who refused to know her ‘place’. Joining the ensemble cast are Emmett J Scanlan as Adam Fairley, Lydia Leonard as Olivia Wainwright, Leanne Best as Adele Fairley, Ewan Horrocks as Edwin Fairley, Harry Cadby as Gerald Fairley, Will Mellor as Jack Harte, BAFTA-winning Lenny Rush as Frank Harte, Niall Wright as Mac, Robert Wilfort as Murgatroyd, Toby Regbo as Jim Fairley, Hiftu Quasem as Priya Chandra, Sophie Bould as Elizabeth Harte and Georgina Sadler as Polly.
Credits:
An 8 x 60 minute series for Channel 4
Written by Katherine Jakeways and co-written by Roanne Bardsley
Director Block 1: John Hardwick
Executive Producers: Beth Willis, Joe Innes, George Faber and Katherine Jakeways alongside Barbara Taylor Bradford.
Co-Executive Producer: Roanne Bardsley
Producer: Charlie Palmer
