Spanish public broadcaster TVE has acquired the rights to the drama series A Woman of Substance, produced by The Forge Entertainment, a part of Banijay UK. This deal is a significant milestone for the series, which has already garnered immense popularity worldwide. The show, based on the best-selling novel by Barbara Taylor Bradford, has been a huge success in the UK, where it remains Channel 4’s most-streamed show for several years.

Adaptations of the book have consistently delivered for Channel 4 across generations, with the earlier series based on the novel remaining the UK broadcaster’s most-watched show of all time. The late Barbara Taylor Bradford’s book tells 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 play the older and younger Harte.

A Woman of Substance has already made significant waves in the international market, with the first season being sold to BritBox for the US, as well as to broadcasters in Europe and beyond. The series has been a critical and commercial success, and this latest deal with TVE is a testament to its enduring appeal.

TVE also acquired Italian drama Free Women (Libere Donne) from Banijay Rights, a psychological thriller set during the Second World War. The series explores themes of justice, marriage, and redemption, and is set to captivate audiences worldwide.

Marion Vergnaud, SVP Sales, Iberia and Italy at Banijay Rights, commented on the deal, stating: