Production Begins on Funny Woman Season Two

Production has begun on the second season of Sky’s Funny Woman, with Gemma Arterton (The King’s Man, Summerland) returning in the lead role as comedian Sophie Straw.

Joining Arterton for the new season are 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).

Returning cast members include Arsher Ali (Informer, The Fear Index), David Threlfall (Shameless), Rosie Cavaliero (Code 404), Alexa Davies (White House Farm, COBRA), Matthew Beard (Vienna Blood, Avenue 5), Leo Bill (Becoming Elizabeth), Clare-Hope Ashitey (Top Boy) and Alistair Petrie (Sex Education).

In season two, Straw finds herself on a high, as she is the nation’s favorite TV comedy star, has a great group of friends and has a romance that is full of promise. This all comes crashing down when her new sitcom flops, she finds out Dennis’s divorce will take three years, and she uncovers a devastating family secret.

In order to escape the turmoil of her life, Straw takes a leading role in a film opposite a glamorous French movie star. The film becomes a hit, and while Straw’s U.S. agent offers her a fresh start in Hollywood, she remains in London, determined to get her friends back together and create a new show that reflects her real life.

Funny Woman is produced by Potboiler and Rebel Park Productions, in association with Sky Studios. The series is written by Morwenna Banks (Slow Horses), Kevin Cecil (Veep) and Andy Riley (Veep). Oliver Parker (The Great Escaper) directs. NBCUniversal Global Distribution handles international sales of the series on behalf of Sky Studios.

The second season will debut later this year on Sky Max and NOW.

“It’s a thrill to dive back into the world of 1960’s London with the extraordinary cast and crew of Funny Woman series two,” said Banks. “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.”