FUNNY WOMAN: FIRST LOOK AND CASTING FOR SECOND SERIES COMING TO SKY

Series two of Funny Woman (4x60) sees Gemma Arterton return as charismatic comedian Sophie Straw alongside Steve Zissis, Marcus Rutherford, Tim Key, Gemma Whelan and Roisin Conaty.

Familiar faces from series one who are also back on board include Arsher Ali (Informer, The Fear Index) as Dennis Mohindra, David Threlfall (Shameless) as George Parker, Rosie Cavaliero (Code 404) as Aunt Marie Parker and Alexa Davies (White House Farm, COBRA) as Marjorie Harrison.

Also returning are Matthew Beard (Vienna Blood, Avenue 5) as Bill Gardiner, Leo Bill (Becoming Elizabeth) as Tony, Clare-Hope Ashitey (Top Boy) as Diane, and Alistair Petrie (Sex Education) as Ted Sargeant.

Series two 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 heart-throb. 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to London, determined to get the gang back together and to create a new show which reflects her real life, challenges outdated cultural conventions and proves that she and her mates are Funny Women!

Writer, Executive Producer, Morwenna Banks said: “It’s a thrill to dive back into the world of 1960’s London - with the extraordinary cast and crew of Funny Woman series 2. 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”.

The new series will launch later this year on Sky Max and streaming service NOW.