‘Funny Woman’ renewed for Season 2: Gemma Arterton’s ’60s comedy will return

Sky has ordered a second season of Funny Woman!

The British comedy-drama series is based on the 2016 novel Funny Girl by About a Boy author Nick Hornby.

Funny Woman stars Gemma Arterton (Their Finest) as a young woman from Blackpool finding her comic voice in the male dominated world of the 1960s sitcom.

The former James Bond movie star plays the “bold, stylish, and courageous” Barbara Parker, a “force of nature who takes London by storm” as we follow her journey from Blackpool beauty queen to comedy superstar and nation’s sweetheart.

A six-part first season premiered this February in the UK on Sky Max and streaming on Now.

Watch the trailer here:

Arterton was joined Season 1 by Rupert Everett (My Best Friend’s Wedding) as Barbara’s agent Brian Debehnam, David Threlfall (Shameless) as Barbara’s father, George, and Tom Bateman (Murder on the Orient Express) as dangerously charming actor Clive.

The cast also included Vienna Blood star Matthew Beard, with Emily Bevans (Grantchester), Leo Bill (Becoming Elizabeth), Clare-Hope Ashitey (Riviera), Arsher Ali (Informer), Alexa Davies (White House Farm).

All the main characters are expected to return in the new season.

Sky announced the renewal of Funny Woman alongside a raft of upcoming programming this week at the Edinburgh International TV Festival.

“We know Sky Original Comedy and Drama is loved by Sky customers, and so we are excited to bring them an unmissable line up of series in the coming year,” commented Meghan Lyvers, Director of Original Drama at Sky Studios.

“These include Mary & George, starring Julianne Moore, as well as an ambitious adaptation of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, which will be scored by Academy Award®-winner Hans Zimmer and Kara Talve.

“We also revealed today that our much-loved comedy series Funny Woman, starring Gemma Arterton, is returning for a second season.”

The brand new episodes will once again be directed by Oliver Parker (Swimming with MenThe Importance of Being Earnest), and written by Morwenna Banks.

Parker’s next movie, The Great Escaper, will be released in cinemas this September.

Based on a true story, the heart-warming drama stars Michael Caine and the late Glenda Jackson – watch the trailer here:

Funny Woman is expected to return in the UK in 2024 exclusively on Sky Max and streaming service Now.

The official synopsis for Season 2 reads: “In series one, Barbara from Blackpool realised her dream and became TV comedy star, Sophie Straw, the nation’s favourite.

“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, Sophie tries her hand at arthouse cinema hoping it will be more progressive – it isn’t!

“Undeterred, Sophie decides to create her own comedy show where she can tell authentic stories in all their messy and hilarious glory. She’s found her voice, and no one can stop her using it! She learns that the power is in the word.”

Nick Hornby’s novel Funny Girl is available on Amazon.