Funny Woman 2: First Look Images Revealed

Today, Sky has revealed first-look pictures for the second series of Sky Original comedy–drama series, Funny Woman (4x60), coming exclusively to Sky Max and streaming service NOW on 6th September 2024.

Set in the swinging 1960s, Gemma Arterton (The King’s Man, Summerland) returns as the nation’s favourite comic actress “Sophie Straw”, with the series seeing Sophie juggle her career, as well as her fledgling romance with Arsher Ali’s (Informer, The Fear Index) dashing “Dennis Mahindra”. The series explores the themes of love, gender equality, LGBTQ rights, representation in comedy, all against the backdrop and cultural explosion of the swinging 1960s.

The second run welcomes 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),  Roisin Conaty (GameFace, Man Down), Rory Keenan (The Regime, Somewhere Boy), Lydia Wilson (Requiem, About Time), Lydia Leonard (Ten Percent, The Crown), Jack Docherty (Scot Squad, Absolutely), and Josie Lawrence (Father Brown, Midsomer Murders).

Returning cast includes David Threlfall (Shameless) as “George Parker”, Rosie Cavaliero (Code 404) as “Aunt Marie Parker”, Alexa Davies (White House Farm, COBRA) as “Marjorie Harrison”, Matthew Beard (Vienna Blood, Avenue 5) as “Bill Gardiner”, Leo Bill (Becoming Elizabeth) as “Tony”, Clare-Hope Ashitey (Top Boy) as “Diane”, Alistair Petrie (Sex Education) as “Ted Sargeant”, Olivia Williams (The Father, Dune Prophecy) as “Gloria”, Emily Bevan (The Full Monty, Temple) as “Edith Mahindra”, and Doon Mackichan (Good Omens, Two Doors Down) as “Miss Sykes”.

The second series 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 heartthrob. 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London, determined to get the gang back together and to create a new show which reflects her real life and challenges outdated cultural conventions.

Funny Woman is produced by Potboiler Productions and Rebel Park Productions, in association with Sky Studios. Creative Director of Comedy Anil Gupta is Executive Producer for Sky Studios and commissioning editor is Tilusha Ghelani. 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 on Sky Max and streaming service NOW, ahead of the new series dropping later this year. NBCUniversal Global Distribution handles international sales of the series on behalf of Sky Studios.