Production begins in Liverpool for series 2 of Sky Original’s comedy-drama Funny Woman starring Gemma Arterton

Sky has revealed further casting for the second series of Sky Original comedy-drama series, Funny Woman, as production begins in Liverpool and across the Northwest of England. The new series will launch later this year on Sky Max and streaming service NOW.

Series two of Funny Woman sees Gemma Arterton (The King’s Man, Summerland) return as charismatic comedian Sophie Straw alongside Steve Zissis (The Changeling, Togetherness), Marcus Rutherford (The Wheel of Time, Obey), Tim Key (The Witchfinder, This Time with Alan Partridge), Gemma Whelan (Game of Thrones, The Tower) and Roisin Conaty (GameFace, Man Down).

Familiar faces from series one who are also back on board include Arsher Ali (Informer, The Fear Index) as Dennis Mohindra, David Threlfall (Shameless) as George Parker, Rosie Cavaliero (Code 404) as Aunt Marie Parker and Alexa Davies (White House Farm, COBRA) as Marjorie Harrison.

Also returning are Matthew Beard (Vienna Blood, Avenue 5) as Bill Gardiner, Leo Bill (Becoming Elizabeth) as Tony, Clare-Hope Ashitey (Top Boy) as Diane, and Alistair Petrie (Sex Education) as Ted Sargeant.

Series two finds Sophie on a high. She is the nation’s favourite TV comedy star; she’s got a group of good friends and her romance with Dennis is full of promise.

But trouble is just round the corner: Dennis’s divorce will take three years; Sophie’s new sitcom flops and she uncovers a devastating family secret. 

Sophie escapes the turmoil by taking a leading role in a film opposite a glamorous French movie heart-throb. The film is a hit and Sophie’s slick new US agent offers her a fresh start in Hollywood…

But Sophie returns to London, determined to get the gang back together and to create a new show which reflects her real life, challenges outdated cultural conventions and proves that she and her mates are Funny Women!

Writer, Executive Producer, Morwenna Banks said: 

“It’s a thrill to dive back into the world of 1960’s London – with the extraordinary cast and crew of Funny Woman series 2. Thanks to the genius of Gemma Arterton as Nick Hornby’s heroine Sophie Straw – a whole host of new guest stars have joined us. We welcome stellar performances from Steve Zissis, Marcus Rutherford, Tim Key, Gemma Whelan, Roisin Conaty and many more …Tune in Turn On and don’t Drop Out”.

Funny Woman is produced by Potboiler and Rebel Park Productions, in association with Sky Studios. Creative director of Comedy Anil Gupta is Executive Producer for Sky Studios.

The new series is executive produced by Nick Hornby, Morwenna Banks, Gemma Arterton, Andrea Calderwood, Gail Egan, Jessica Parker and Jessica Malik.

Ross Williams is series producer. The series is written by multi-award-winning writer Morwenna Banks (Slow Horses), BAFTA and Emmy winning writers Kevin Cecil (Veep) and Andy Riley (Veep). BAFTA nominee Oliver Parker (The Great Escaper) directs.

Viewers can catch up on Funny Woman series 1, ahead of the new series coming to Sky Max and streaming service NOW in 2024. NBCUniversal Global Distribution handle international sales of the series on behalf of Sky Studios.

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