Funny Girl. Barbara Parker (Gemma Arterton)
Funny Woman

Funny Woman

  • TV comedy drama
  • Sky Max
  • 2023
  • 6 episodes (1 series)

Comedy about a fictional British comedy actor, based on Nick Hornby's book Funny Girl. Also features Gemma Arterton, Rupert Everett, David Threlfall, Tom Bateman, Arsher Ali and more.

  • Due to return for Series 2
  • JustWatch Streaming rank this week: 2,060

Episode menu

Series 1, Episode 2

Funny Woman. Barbara Parker (Gemma Arterton)
Barbara lands a dream role in a new TV comedy, but news from home on the eve of the show threatens to derail her opportunity, forcing her into an impossible decision.

Further details

Barbara is not easily defeated, and she wins the chance to prove herself in a TV sitcom audition.

Barbara bonds with the creative team - producer Dennis Mahindra, writers Tony and Bill - although the star, Clive Richardson, is less certain.

The writers like her natural wit and skewed way of seeing the world and elements of Barbara from Blackpool find their way into the script.

Dennis is delighted - he's always hoped to find someone like her - comedy wise. After a nail-biting wait, they get the green light from boss Ted Sargent to make the pilot and Barbara - or as they know her - Sophie Straw - is poised to perform live in front of a studio audience. But on the eve of the show news from home derails her and she is forced to make an impossible decision. Will she return to Blackpool and her ailing father George - or seize her moment in London?

Broadcast details

Date
Thursday 16th February 2023
Time
9pm
Channel
Sky Max
Length
60 minutes

Repeats

Show past repeats

Date Time Channel
Saturday 18th February 2023 11:00pm Sky Max
Monday 20th February 2023 10:00pm Sky Max
Wednesday 22nd February 2023 10:00pm Sky Max

Catch-up

Cast & crew

Cast
Gemma Arterton Barbara Parker / Sophie Straw
Rupert Everett Brian Debehnam
David Threlfall George Parker
Tom Bateman Clive Richardson
Arsher Ali Dennis Mahindra
Alexa Davies Marjorie Harrison
Leo Bill Tony Holmes
Matthew Beard Bill Gardiner
Rosie Cavaliero Aunt Marie Parker
Morwenna Banks Patsy Debenham
Guest cast
Kate Crossley Woman Worker 1 - Pat
Kyle Pryor Aiden Leigh
Emma Davies Beryl
Dave Lynn Beehive
Elly Condron Deirdre
Lucy Knight Posh Ivy
Alistair Petrie Ted Sargent
Kenneth Collard Bert Redwood
Clare-Hope Ashitey Diane Lewis
Rosa Coduri Fulford Polly
Gillian Hardie Mim
Writing team
Nick Hornby Writer
Morwenna Banks Writer (Adapted By)
Will Smith Script Consultant
Production team
Oliver Parker Director
Paul Schlesinger Series Producer
Nick Hornby Executive Producer
Gemma Arterton Executive Producer
Morwenna Banks Executive Producer
Andrea Calderwood Executive Producer
Gail Egan Executive Producer
Jessica Parker Executive Producer
Jessica Malik Executive Producer
Tilusha Ghelani Executive Producer
Jon Mountague Executive Producer
Ross Williams Co-producer
Chloƫ Sizer Co-executive Producer
Jennifer Eriksson Post Producer
Agnieszka Liggett Editor
Jacqueline Smith Production Designer
Kelly Valentine Hendry Casting Director
Matt Wicks Director of Photography
Pam Downe Costume Designer
Sue Michael Make-up Designer
Nainita Desai Composer
Craig Johnson Graphics
Nick Gorman 1st Assistant Director

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