The film was shot primarily in Yorkshire and Liverpool, England, and brings to life Barbara Taylor Bradford's bestseller about Emma Harte's remarkable rise from humble beginnings to greatness in a retail empire. The story follows two timelines — young Emma's forbidden romance and her first steps in trade in Armley in the early 1900s, and older Emma facing family threats in New York in the 1970s. Jessica Reynolds plays the young version of the heroine, while Brenda Blethyn plays the older Emma navigating corporate intrigue. The production made extensive use of real historical buildings and landscapes: Liverpool's waterfront was digitally transformed into New York, while Yorkshire's moorlands, caves, and manor houses were used to recreate historical settings. Green screens were used at several locations to add CGI skyscrapers and cityscapes, seamlessly blending real architectural landmarks with digital effects.

Filming Locations:

Liverpool Waterfront (as New York streets, 1975)

In the Film

Scene where an establishing shot of New York streets in 1975 opens, with the area around St. Nicholas Church digitally transformed into Manhattan with skyscrapers in the background. This episode immediately sets the tone for the story of adult Emma Harte, who faces business threats and family betrayals.

In Reality

The scene was filmed in the famous Pier Head area on Liverpool's waterfront, near St. Nicholas Church and the Tower Building, filming New York streets of 1975. St. Nicholas Church is a historic Anglican church dating back to 1257, standing right by the water. For the establishing shots, digital effects added skyscrapers and removed the Tower Building to make the street look like a convincing Manhattan.

Port of Liverpool Building (as interior of Harte's department store)

In the Film

Scene where the interior of Harte's department store is shown, with its luxurious octagonal hall, impressive dome, and classic decor. The majestic architecture creates a convincing backdrop for scenes conveying the upscale retail environment that Emma Harte built over the years.

In Reality

The scene was filmed in the majestic octagonal hall inside the Port of Liverpool Building, another of the Three Graces on Pier Head, where filming took place. This former office of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board, opened in 1907, is Grade II listed and features a prominent dome and richly decorated Edwardian interior. It has been chosen for filming before, including in Sherlock Holmes adaptations.

Royal Liver Building (as facade of Harte's department store)

In the Film

Scene where the facade of Harte's department store is shown — the central location of Emma's retail empire. The majestic appearance and scale of the building emphasize the prestige of the fictional store, and digital enhancement of the full shot helps make it look like the main luxury department store in the story.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at the famous Royal Liver Building on Pier Head, one of the three iconic waterfront buildings of Liverpool, where filming took place. The building was completed in 1911 and was the tallest in Europe for a long time; today it serves as a tourist attraction, office, and residential complex. For full high-angle shots, the tower was further enhanced with digital processing.