- 3 hours ago
A Woman Of Substance S01E01 (2026)
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00:10Wait for a day, wait for a night, trust at your tone, so you'd never know, it's me.
00:44How are those helicopter lessons coming along, Stephen, but I might set up a few for myself.
00:51Mrs. Hart, I need two minutes of your time.
00:54One will be more than ample, Mr. Fairley.
00:57I've come with a warning.
01:00Theatrical?
01:01Mrs. Hart, I'm assuming you haven't seen the news about the crash in Hart's share prices, and about the leak.
01:08A source from inside your company has intimated to the press that you're fragile, losing control.
01:17They've provided them with your confidential medical records.
01:24And with Hart's stocks already 12% down on the LSE, things are looking bleak for the world's richest woman,
01:30Anna Hart, whose retail empire is reeling today from revelations about her health status.
01:36Stephen?
01:37Yes, Mrs. Hart?
01:38I'm going to walk.
01:39Oh, ma'am.
01:40Mrs. Hart, this isn't an easy thing to broach, but I believe...
01:45Thanks.
02:01Mrs. Hart, I hope by warning you, proves I can be trusted.
02:06Hello?
02:07Morning, Ted.
02:10Hello?
02:11Hello?
02:12Hello?
02:13Hello?
02:13Hello?
02:14Hello?
02:15Hello?
02:15Hello?
02:28Happy anniversary, Bernie.
02:30That sure rolls around.
02:32Perfumes, ground floor.
02:33Jewelry, floor three.
02:35Otherwise, dog houses, floor six.
02:38My regards to Cheryl.
02:40Please, I know this must be a shop.
02:42A friend of yours, Mrs. Hart?
02:44Hardly.
02:44Mrs. Hart?
02:45Please, let me help.
02:46I know how hard you've worked for all this.
02:48Now the papers are saying you're finished.
02:50Mrs. Hart?
03:01God, Grandy, we tried to get a message to you.
03:03What do we know?
03:03Are you all right?
03:04Those hospital records they have, are they...
03:06A complete fabrication.
03:07Where's it come from, this week?
03:09We've no idea, but it's rather detailed, I'm afraid.
03:11It appears one of the board.
03:13We need to control their narrative with press releases.
03:15A full page spread in every outlet you own.
03:17Oh, and a dog, but who knows I don't?
03:21Accountants.
03:22Henry's in Aspen, Mrs. Hart, at his daughter's wedding.
03:24Insures are down 14% now.
03:27Jerry!
03:41I took the stairs.
03:44One unwelcome appearance of a morning might be considered an intrusion to verges on trespass.
03:52Jerry, send in security.
03:53There's a wasp at the picnic.
03:56Mrs. Hart, I'm trying to earn your trust, and I hope perhaps this endless feud...
03:59Oh, I wouldn't call it a feud.
04:02What would you call it, then?
04:03Well, I don't get involved in semantics.
04:05Um, a war?
04:08It's vital to me you realize I am better than the rest of my family.
04:10Oh, well, that's an exceptionally unambitious claim.
04:14Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a mole to un-earth.
04:18But it's not just some anonymous board member.
04:20Mrs. Hart, I know who it is.
04:24It's your children.
04:28If you think for one moment that I'd trust you, Mr. Fairley...
04:33I know you have dedicated your entire life to the hatred of my family.
04:38Oh, now, you're quite wrong, Mr. Fairley.
04:41Hatred happens in secret, with neither purpose nor aspiration.
04:46No, what I've dedicated my life to...
04:50is revenge.
05:15I'm looking for Fairley Hall.
05:18Sorry to startle you.
05:20I'm, uh, repairing their chimneys.
05:26Shane O'Neill is the name.
05:29But the whole world calls me Mac.
05:37You can keep up.
05:38You can follow.
05:51My mom calls at the top of the world.
05:57Keep up!
06:13Well, I think that'll do with me.
06:16What do you reckon?
06:18Ever smelt a rose?
06:19Is that a wasp, innit?
06:37I thought you didn't graduate till summer.
06:41Any excuse to come home?
06:46Will you have missed your family?
06:48Have you learnt my family?
06:51Father's hosting a weekend for some dignitary or other.
06:54You're supposed to impress them.
06:57Well, good luck.
06:58Being impressive.
07:01Emma.
07:11Faster than you look.
07:14For the chimneys, Shane O'Neill that the whole world calls a mack.
07:19This is Edwin. Master Edwin.
07:25Emma Hart!
07:33Sorry.
07:40Right, pay attention you lot.
07:43Mary.
07:43Beds, baths, bedpans.
07:45Holly.
07:46In with the mistress as usual.
07:48Finally.
07:51Emma.
07:52Silverware, grates, glassware, all stairs and floors.
07:55And on time in future.
08:10king of soccer and creatures.
08:17Bye-bye.
08:19Bye-bye.
08:21Bye-bye.
08:22Bye.
08:22Bye-bye.
08:35Bye-bye.
08:38Bye-bye.rian
08:43Perhaps you'd like to treat yourself to some toast with that jam
08:46What a ration in all things
08:49Except preserves
08:53Did your father tell you how cleverly he ironed out his issue with that foreman?
08:57Yes, all ships shaped at the mill, largely, thanks to you
09:02Well, if Sir Vikram's impressed with you, it would all have been worthwhile
09:06Edward, did I tell you?
09:07The Chandras and Vikram and his daughter Priya are coming to us straight from his trading meetings at Downing Street
09:14You did say yes
09:16Gosh, we must do our very best to get the Chandras on side
09:20Let's see if we can't do our bit for Anglo-Indian relations
09:25Well, Edward never lets anyone down
10:04Emma
10:06What are you doing?
10:07That kiss, the morning I left, in the stable
10:10We mustn't, we never should've
10:11I know, we've resisted for so long
10:14Your lips, the taste of your mouth
10:16It's all I can think about
10:17We can't
10:19They catch us
10:20I don't care
10:21Do you?
10:22Yes, you don't have a job to lose
10:24Emma, this isn't some whim
10:26This is you and me
10:28Running, laughing
10:29Telling each other everything
10:32But it's different now, isn't it?
10:34Since that kiss, it's changed
10:35How can it not be better?
10:38I know you, Emma
10:40I know you feel it too
10:42I can't
10:45I don't
10:45I do, I do, of course I do
10:49But I mustn't
10:50I mustn't
11:01Something on your mind?
11:05Someone
11:06Ma'am
11:09I know those mill boys finish early on a Saturday
11:11But you stay focused, do you?
11:15Did you get your extra dining money?
11:18I have
11:22Keep climbing, Emma
11:26You're talented
11:27With your dressmaking
11:29You've an eye
11:30I've got two
11:33And if you're smart, which I know you are
11:35You can get out to Fairleigh
11:38Don't be like me, you hear?
11:40Remember your plan with a capital P
11:44Get out and get on
11:47Or the rest of us, if we're born in Fairleigh
11:50They'll die here
11:52But you won't get trapped
11:55Remember, without money, you're vulnerable
11:58So stay focused
12:00And if a chance comes, you grab it
12:04You hear me?
12:12McQueen
12:13So don't get distracted
12:16Don't take your eye off the board
12:17Keep thinking, Ed
12:18Three moves at least
12:33I'll finish tomorrow
12:34Shall we?
12:38She's tired again
12:40I was thinking
12:41Might we find money to at least talk to a doctor?
12:43Waterford medicine
12:46Are you and Mum all right?
12:49She's fine
12:53You sleep
13:11Well, that's football for you, son
13:13Tell you now, I don't know how Bradford didn't have got a Catty Nails chance against Newcastle after that show
13:18at Blackburn
13:19Yeah, look, dreadful results
13:21Dreadful
13:22Mum's not burning up as much as I sight
13:24No?
13:25Well, she's a fighter
13:26Your mum, she fights
13:28Like me
13:29I can fight, can't I, Dad?
13:31Aye, look at him here
13:32Heavyweight, aren't you, son?
13:33Go on, get him in the belly
13:35Go on, big man
13:36See where you got, son
13:37Come on, come on, come on
13:39Come on
13:39I hope your dad's getting older
13:40Small but powerful
13:42Look at that
13:43Thank you
13:45Hey
13:45Hey
13:46He's had a slice already
13:48Have a good day, Dad
13:50It's all right
13:51Yo
13:53Small but greedy, more like
14:13Just talk so nice
14:15I have to catch her
14:16I can look after myself
14:45Holly?
14:48Well, look at that
14:50My husband finally come to see me
14:53I had time to kill
14:56Flatterer
15:00I like your shirt
15:01It's ancient
15:03Well, a bit like me, then
15:06Perhaps that's why I like it
15:11How do I seem to you, Adam?
15:12I hate not to live up to your expectations
15:15Every man has the right to expect his madwife in the attic to behave appropriately
15:25Eh, that's why you don't want a bit outside for a good wykon
15:37Well, you wanted to come
15:39...
15:45I'm always here, Squire Fair, I watch you from the window, wondering if you'll come when you're riding your horses,
15:53holding on to me.
15:55No.
16:04Where is Polly?
16:06Running an errand for Master Gerald.
16:09I feed for her. Never ends well, when worlds collide.
16:19Mrs Fairley's waiting!
16:22Polly's on an errand?
16:24She does realise she's the lady's maid. She's got responsibilities.
16:30I'll take it.
16:51You're not Polly.
16:52I'm Emma, Mrs Fairley. Emma Hart.
16:55Well, Emma Hart. My husband is leaving, but don't worry. He always comes back again.
17:02We're busy downstairs. There's a party this weekend.
17:04I like parties.
17:07Yes, but my bad wife never dares leave her room. How many years, Adele, since you set foot downstairs?
17:15It's not a big event. It's only family and a few locals.
17:18Are you trying to remove me from this family?
17:21Oh, you removed yourself from this family a long time ago. Olivia will be there.
17:25A wife's sister isn't a substitute for a wife, Adam.
17:28I only mean that she knows the business and I think it would be safer.
17:32I can be safe.
17:34I can be charming.
17:36Don't you think, Adam?
17:39Fine.
17:41Is today the day, Adele?
17:44Can you find the courage?
17:53Come down, sirs.
17:57What you need to understand is we work damn hard in this Chandra deal.
18:01We!
18:01There's a lot of clever people there, Adele.
18:03Every one of whom is sober and fully dressed.
18:16Why don't you sit down, Mrs Fairley. Sit down.
18:20And just breathe.
18:21Slowly breathe.
18:51I was just watering.
18:57The plants, obviously.
19:05Have you seen Adele?
19:09How is she?
19:11Most the same.
19:13Lost.
19:23Do you ever get frightened?
19:26Yes, of course. You're a woman.
19:30Men get frightened too.
19:32Oh.
19:33Men are only frightened of boredom and dying.
19:37Neither of those worry me.
19:40What is it then, Mrs Fairley?
19:42What scares you?
19:44I'm frightened of disappearing.
19:47Of being forgotten.
19:49Most people just assume you're nobody and then dismiss you.
19:54Do you know that?
19:56Yes, I do.
20:00Every morning, I get dressed, and I do my hair, and I have every intention of going down to breakfast,
20:09or to some fabulous party, like when it was a girl.
20:14And some days, I try so hard to leave the room, but it all feels too much, so I have
20:23to find other ways to get Adam's attention.
20:30Meanwhile, my sister swans around downstairs, doing everything I should do.
20:37She seems to find the world easy.
20:41But you're the lady of the house, Mrs Fairley.
20:43You have such lovely things.
20:45Oh.
20:45Your clothes.
20:46Well, I have marvellous clothes.
20:48And you've got your husband.
20:49And your sons.
20:51My babies.
20:53Well, your sister's got none of those.
20:54So I expect she might be frightened of you.
21:00You?
21:01Oh, is it?
21:15Are you a bush?
21:17Well sorted.
21:19Lonely business, being a master of disguise.
21:26How's your plan, Emma?
21:27Still coming on?
21:28Of course.
21:29I'm doing my mending.
21:31If I can make my wages up before shillings a week, I might be able to get to leave.
21:34Emma!
21:36Emma Hart!
21:37You've a visitor.
21:48Dad says you're to come, Emma.
22:00Emma!
22:01Emma!
22:02Emma!
22:02Emma!
22:03Emma!
22:03Don't wait for me.
22:04I'll just throw you down.
22:05Don't be daft.
22:06We have to both go.
22:07Honest.
22:07I've said goodbye.
22:08You go.
22:10Please.
22:10Please.
22:11Go.
22:12I'm sorry.
22:14I love you.
22:16Go!
22:16Go!
22:40I'm coming, Mom.
22:42I'm coming.
22:43I'm coming.
22:44I'm coming.
22:47I'm coming.
22:57I've got it, Emma.
22:58I've got it.
22:59You go.
23:12Look at me.
23:15She's not left, love.
23:18Mum, it's me, it's Emma.
23:24I waited for you.
23:29I'm scared.
23:32Get out.
23:34Get on, Emma.
23:36You hear me?
23:37Promise me?
23:38Promise me.
23:40Emma, baby.
23:42See you.
23:43I'm here.
23:49Now, where's your dad?
23:51I'm here.
23:56I'm here.
23:58It's time.
24:02Dad.
24:04Dad.
24:05What are you doing?
24:06I don't know.
24:07I've got you in the hall of...
24:08Dad.
24:09Oh, no.
24:10What are you doing?
24:12Dad.
24:13Dad.
24:15Dad.
24:17Mum.
24:18Mummy.
24:20Why are you taking her?
24:21The top of the world.
24:31They're not beautiful.
24:37No.
24:37No, no, no, no, no, no, no.
24:39Dad.
24:40Dad.
24:42No, no, no.
24:43No, no, no.
24:45Dad.
24:46We're going to the top of the world.
24:48That's where we gotta be.
24:56Dad.
25:09I'm so sorry, so sorry, I'm so sorry I really tried for you.
25:27I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry.
25:47I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry.
25:54Oh, you're here, are you?
25:56About time.
25:58No time for moping, in my heart.
26:01I missed half a day yesterday, and we'll be partying tomorrow.
26:09It's a lovely morning out there, so no need for these, I don't think.
26:21Have you made any progress with your book?
26:28Would you like me to read to you again?
26:30I wouldn't like.
26:32No, not at all.
26:35Right.
26:37I heard there was to be a party.
26:39Oh, Sir Vikram.
26:42He's terribly important, so I suspect desperately boring.
26:48Well, thank you for stepping in.
26:52No, it's not a question of stepping in.
26:55Just while I'm here, for your sake, I may as well every now and again run my eyes over Adam's
27:02business papers.
27:04What else do you run your eye over?
27:09At all.
27:14Olivia, why would any man ever be butiled by beige when he has every colour of the rainbow upstairs?
27:21Yes.
27:25You'll need a rest, I expect.
27:28Then perhaps tomorrow I could...
27:29Will you read to me?
27:30How wonderful!
27:32You know, you would have made a charming mother, Olivia.
27:48Emma.
27:55I was...
27:59I heard about your mother.
28:07I've been thinking, sir.
28:08Might I be considered to look after Mrs...
28:16Would you be considered to what?
28:21I believe, Squire Fairley, that it's important to take your chances in life.
28:25And I reckon I understand the mistress.
28:28So I was wondering if I might look after her from now on.
28:31As her personal maid.
28:34I think if you asked the mistress, she'd like that too.
28:38I was thinking for Shaleen tomorrow week.
28:43Hmm.
29:10When you know loss, Emma...
29:13It can suddenly feel like it's all you know.
29:16But you know a whole lot.
29:19So that's what you hold on to, did you hear?
29:23Because you're hungry.
29:25Isn't that right?
29:27And when you've known hunger, well sure, you stay hungry.
29:32Emma Hart!
29:35What have you been saying to the master?
29:40From now on, he says it's your job to take the mistress's train.
29:46Well I don't know why you're standing still when the mistress is upstairs waiting!
29:55Emma?
30:01I finally feel like I'm being taken care of.
30:05So much for friends.
30:07I'm sorry, I have a family to look after.
30:10I know what Mrs Fairley likes.
30:12But it's about what she needs.
30:13And when she needed you, you were with the master.
30:16Oh well, isn't she lucky?
30:18Having you to show her just how life's done.
30:21Blame me if you like, Paul.
30:22Either if you do, I'm sure.
30:22But I know he's really disappointed in himself.
30:30Stay there.
30:32Come back here you little rat!
30:34You'll never be a lady Emma Hart!
30:36Your dad's a layabout, and your mam!
30:38Your mam spent her all life trying to be better than us too.
30:42Then prove she weren't after all by dying of being poor!
30:52Oi!
30:54Oi!
30:56Enough!
30:57Enough!
30:58Enough!
30:58Enough!
30:59Absolute disgrace!
31:01A pair of you!
31:02Come here.
31:03What have you got to say?
31:05She tied me!
31:06She tied me!
31:08Right, fetch your things!
31:10Come on!
31:11No!
31:14Gerald!
31:15Gerald!
31:16I was running errands for you wasn't I?
31:18Tell him!
31:21I don't know what you're talking about.
31:23Good decision, Murgershroyd.
31:25We have dogs to do our attacking.
31:35Mothers, come and go.
31:37That is how life works, Emma Hart.
31:40The jobs are the same if you're not careful.
31:47We always used to look out for each other.
31:49Now we're fighting like animals.
31:52This place is wicked.
31:55All the mountains of food going to waste.
31:57And your mother talking about dreams.
31:59Do you know what my dad dreams of?
32:01Survival!
32:03That my mam might have...
32:08He should have lived.
32:11I'm sorry.
32:13I'm so sorry about your mother.
32:15When I grow up, I won't ever be poor.
32:19I won't ever want for anything like my mam did every last second of her life.
32:22None of my family will.
32:23I promise you that.
32:24I promise you.
32:25Emma, you've got me.
32:25My world's not yours.
32:27My father breaks his back hauling bricks while your father sits ordering lunch while his workers half-starved.
32:33The family will want you to marry some rich girls so that when you're a fancy lawyer she'll get writing.
32:38Emma.
32:40Listen to me.
32:42You're talking about other people.
32:44Not the two of us.
32:46You and I are just the same.
32:50Only one of us has covered an egg.
32:59What's all this, Frank?
33:01Huh?
33:05I bumped me head.
33:10My mam always used to kiss it better.
33:15But also...
33:16Where do I keep bloody bumping it?
33:21Because you're a hooligan.
33:23And foul mouths too.
33:26Come on.
33:28I'll cry until the bloody washing up's done.
33:39This party today, I should go.
33:42Shouldn't I?
33:44I must, but...
33:45Will I survive?
33:48When I'm drinking, I might do anything.
33:51Which is, of course, the curse and the bliss of it.
33:53There's your answer.
33:54No drinking.
33:55Let's get your dress for now, Mrs Fairley.
33:56Then see what comes next.
33:58Is it beautiful enough, do you think?
34:01If I just take these roses off.
34:02No!
34:03You'll ruin it.
34:05It'll be dry, won't it?
34:06It won't, Mrs Fairley.
34:07It'll be elegant.
34:08I can change the neckline, these sleeves, maybe even a slit in the skirt.
34:13Trust me.
34:19I remember having your skin.
34:24Just keep breathing, Mrs Fairley.
34:27And when you're nervous, put your hand on your heart and check it's still there.
34:46You'll go downstairs and look kindly at your sister.
34:49We'll tell you stories and let the whole room admire you.
34:52You can do it, Mrs Fairley.
34:54You're my Whoever, make it some more food for you.
34:59That'd be very good.
35:05You're amazing.
35:08I love your children.
35:08I am hungry of my children.
35:10You're wise.
35:11I am hungry right hungry adulteress.
35:13What's it that you're in...?
35:18I am hungry.
35:22Ooh my-FS is�.
35:23I gotta hide.
35:25I'm sorry, may I?
35:32You've been very quiet, how you doing this, about the party.
35:36Oh no, I'm fine.
35:41It's stupid.
35:43Tell me.
35:47I know I'm only here to fill in for my sister.
35:50I'm only playing the part of...
35:53But some days it feels real, it does.
35:56It feels real to me too, sometimes.
36:02I barely used to eat in the morning, you know.
36:06There was no one to share things with.
36:09I had no conversation, no partner, and now it's...
36:17You.
36:32I'm sorry, I should have...
36:51You see, the trick is to not let any of the ringleaders on the mill floor think they have the
36:55upper hand.
36:56Although in the case of the girl that had the accent, it's the only hand she's got.
37:01What about you, Edwin?
37:03Any thoughts on keeping workers in check?
37:06Truthfully, sir, I'm not sure it's up to us to actually...
37:09I'm afraid we have an idealist on our hands, Sir Vigra.
37:13But...
37:14He's a bright lad.
37:17Well, Edwin, if you are a free thinker, you sound the same as Priya.
37:21Isn't that right, Priya?
37:23Depends on how free he is, and...
37:25What he thinks about.
37:30It goes without saying, doesn't it, Adam, that anyone who invests in our mill will benefit from the unprecedented profit
37:36margins that we mentioned earlier.
37:37Yes.
37:40You must be a busy man, Squire Fil.
37:43My sister-in-law never off duty, and...
37:45I hear, her wife upstairs.
37:48Yes.
37:50My wife sends her apologies.
37:53She's...unwell.
37:56A party?
37:58For little old me?
38:25Oh, Olivia, you look charming!
38:27Adele, I wonder what to see you up and about.
38:34Oh, goodness!
38:35Darling!
38:36What a dress!
38:37You're a picture.
38:41It's a big room.
38:43This is my wife.
38:56We are the same, Emma.
38:59We're just the same.
39:08Though, admittedly, right now I feel a fair bit sillier than you.
39:11It's quite sharper in the back of the night.
39:12It's a shell and so on.
39:14You're supposed to be impressing them inside.
39:17They'll be around.
39:17I don't care about any of them.
39:19It is wicked here, you're quite right.
39:22It's unbearable.
39:27So it's neither of us bear it.
39:43Emma!
39:45Emma!
39:45Come on!
39:58You're beautiful.
40:00You're beautiful.
40:01I'm covered in egg.
40:09Get me up.
40:14What?
40:24You're getting it everywhere!
40:29They'll be such a round if I'm not back.
40:32Do you want to go back?
40:48You're all wet.
40:50You're not cold.
41:13What is it?
41:15Rings.
41:19Who's there?
41:24I'd never hurt you, Emma.
41:28But we mustn't.
41:37You're all wet.
41:41You're all wet.
41:44You're wet.
41:53You're wet.
41:58You're wet.
42:11I love you, Emma.
42:14I love you my whole life.
42:15I love you, Emma.