EXCLUSIVE: Channel 4 has given a second season order to A Woman of Substance, its most-streamed drama since It’s a Sin.

The renewal comes more than 40 years after the iconic original, an adaptation of the 1979 Barbara Taylor Bradford novel, which remains Channel 4’s most-watched show of all time. The late Taylor Bradford’s book details the decades-long story of Emma Harte, a Yorkshire maid who becomes a business mogul.

Double Oscar nominee Brenda Blethyn and Kneecap star Jessica Reynolds are returning for A Woman of Substance, playing the older and younger Harte. In the eight-episode Season 2, she emerges from World War One and strides into the glittering, fast changing world of the 1920s. Her ambition for the Harte name is unrelenting, as is her determination to make the Fairley family pay. Meanwhile in the 1970s, she battles to win back her life’s work from Jim Fairley.

BritBox bought Season 1 in the U.S. and will launch Wednesday but no word yet on whether the best-of-British streamer will take Season 2.

The remake is one of Channel 4’s splashiest dramas of the decade and recently became its most-streamed since Russell T. Davies’ It’s a Sin with an average audience of 3 million per episode, Channel 4 said. This pales in comparison, however, to the 14 million who watched the original starring Jenny Seagrove in 1984, a figure that hasn’t been bested 42 years on.

Katherine Jakeways, who created The Buccaneers for Apple TV, will return to write Season 2 alongside Roanne Bardsley (The Buccaneers, Screw), while producer is Buccaneers maker The Forge.

Channel 4 interim drama boss Gwawr Lloyd said: “Following the incredible success and popularity of the brilliant first series, we’re thrilled to be bringing the incomparable and iconic Emma Harte back to Channel 4 again. Series two will continue Emma’s story with all the ambition, drama and family intrigue that made A Woman of Substance such a compelling and irresistible watch.”

Jakeways and Bardsley added: “We couldn’t be more delighted to be back with our beloved Emma Harte. The higher she climbs, the greater the risks, and we’re looking forward to more of everything we adore – heart-soaring romance, gut-wrenching loss, and of course, delicious revenge.”

A Woman of Substance EPs are Beth Willis, Joe Innes, Jakeways and Bardsley alongside The Barbara Taylor Bradford Trust with Richard Senior as director. A Woman of Substance was commissioned by Lloyd and will be distributed internationally by Banijay Rights. Further details will be announced in due course.

Get our Breaking News Alerts and Keep your inbox happy.

Comments On Deadline Hollywood are monitored. So don't go off topic, don't impersonate anyone, and don't get your facts wrong.

Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() );