Did that shock ending leave you wanting more? A Woman of Substance finished tonight...and the finale screams season two potential!
It all comes down to the twist you might not have fully clocked. So if you’re desperate to know what happens next, here’s a full explanation of all the clues that Emma Harte will return…
Will A Woman of Substance return for Season 2?
While a second series hasn’t yet been confirmed, there’s lots of indications that there could be one in the works! And it's all to do with how the series ends.
The final episode sees Emma return to Fairley Hall…as its owner. It’s revealed in a shock twist that she wrenched the estate from the Fairleys in the ultimate powermove, telling the family to “Get out of my house”.
But Edwin’s threat that “somehow the Fairleys will take back this house” seems to become a self-fulfilling prophecy…
Enter Paula’s HUSBAND, yes husband, Jim Fairley.
In the present-day timeline, Paula reveals she is now married, and having a baby with none other than Jim Fairley. The news comes just after Emma's announcement that she’s leaving her entire fortune to Paula…
So Paula and Jim’s marriage means Emma is now tied to the family she hates – and has unknowingly transferred half of her wealth to the Fairley family.
Realising he is now (technically) the co-owner of Emma’s empire. Jim smugly says “What’s hers is mine and all that…”
Emma’s furious expression makes it clear: her feud with the Fairleys is far from over.
A Woman of Substance is based on a long book series by Barbara Taylor Bradford, so there’s a whole load of follow-up books that could be used for further seasons.
And the ending strongly suggests there is more story to tell – it’s purposely left open-ended with lots of unanswered questions.
How will Jim Fairley influence the Harte business? And will Emma ever be able to accept a family tie with the Fairleys?
Who could return for A Woman of Substance season 2?
Of course, Brenda Blethyn would return as Emma Harte, as well as Jessica Reynolds as young Emma Harte.
And we can imagine the next season will feature a lot of Paula and Jim, since their relationship is the cliffhanger that the series ends on.
After numerous deaths in the first installment, there are several characters who definitely wouldn't be back for the second. But the following characters would surely return for the Emma's next saga:
- Ewan Horrocks as Edwin Fairley
- Niall Wright as Mac O’Neill
- Emmett J Scanlan as Adam Fairley
- Leanne Best as Adele Fairley
- Harry Cadby as Gerald Fairley
- Lydia Leonard as Olivia Wainwright
- Rosie Cavaliero as Edwina, Emma's daughter
When could we expect to see A Woman of Substance season 2?
In a second season we could expect to see more of Emma’s powerplay, especially after Paula and Jim’s shock announcement.
Surely Emma will have a trick up her sleeve to stop the Fairleys from getting their own back...
We are dying to see how she gets out of this one!
A Woman of Substance is available for streaming on Channel 4.
