Gemma Arterton to return to Sky comedy

Sky has ordered a second series of the comedy-drama Funny Woman, about a comic trying to make it in the male-dominated scene of the 1960s.

In series one, Barbara from Blackpool – as played by Gemma Arterton –  realised her dream and became TV comedy star, Sophie Straw

In series two, Sophie finds out that ‘having a voice’ doesn’t mean it will be heard and that fame is a fickle friend. 

Fed up with being the comic muse in old-school comedy shows, she tries her hand at arthouse cinema hoping it will be more progressive, only to find it isn’t. Undeterred, she decides to create her own comedy show where she can ‘tell authentic stories in all their messy and hilarious glory’.

The series is written by Morwenna Banks, based on Nick Hornby’s novel Funny Girl.

It was among a number of new shows across genres announced by Sky today to coincide with the Edinburgh Television Festival.

The broadcaster’s managing director of content, Zai Bennett, said: ‘At Sky we must deliver to our customers content worth paying for, and it’s with that lens we carefully consider which shows to commission and acquire across all genres, making sure we deliver some of their favourite shows of the year, with world-class talent, on and off the screen.’

Produced by: Potboiler and Rebel Park Productions, in association with Sky Studios
Executive producers: Nick Hornby, Gemma Arterton, Andrea Calderwood, Gail Egan, Jessica Parker and Jessica Malik
Written by: Morwenna Banks
Directed by: Oliver Parker.
Commissioned by: Tilusha Ghelani

Published: 24 Aug 2023