Funny Woman: Gemma Arterton stars in Sky Max adaptation of Nick Hornby’s novel set in 1960s London

The six-part series follows Barbara, a young woman working in a Blackpool rock factory, who sets off for London without a plan but with a dream to make it big in comedy.

By Sophia Moir Published: 10 January 2023 - 10.45am

Comedy NOW British comedy

Stream Funny Woman on Sky Max with NOW from Thursday 9 February.

Prepare to take a rollercoaster ride back to the 1960s in Funny Woman, a new six-part adaptation of Nick Hornby’s bestselling novel Funny Girl.

Funny Woman is a contemporary take on the story, which stars Gemma Arterton as Barbara Parker - a courageous Blackpool beauty queen who takes London by storm.

Discover all you need to know about Funny Woman here, including the confirmed release date, cast list, plot and more.

What is the Funny Woman release date?

Funny Woman is streaming on Sky Max with NOW from Thursday 9 February.

It will consist of six episodes.

Who’s in the Funny Woman cast?

Gemma Arterton (Quantum of Solace, Tess of the D'Urbervilles) - plays Barbara Parker
Rupert Everett (My Best Friend's Wedding, My Policeman) - plays theatrical agent Brian Debehnam
David Threlfall (Shameless, Hot Fuzz) - plays George Parker
Tom Bateman (Behind Her Eyes, Beecham House) - plays Clive
Clare-Hope Ashitey (Riviera, Top Boy) - plays Diane
Arsher Ali (Line of Duty, The Fear Index) - plays Dennis
Alexa Davies (White House Farm, Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again!) - plays Marjorie
Emily Bevan (Temple) - plays Edith
Leo Bill (Becoming Elizabeth) - plays Tony
Matthew Beard (Vienna Blood) - plays Bill
Olivia Williams (The Crown) - plays Gloria
Rosie Cavaliero (Code 404) - plays Aunty Marie
Alistair Petrie (Sex Education) - plays Ted Sergeant
Morwenna Banks (Miss You Already) - plays Patsy

What is the Funny Woman plot?

It’s 1964 and girls are expected to be flirty, fabulous and fertile - they are not expected to be funny - but Barbara Parker is different.

This comic drama follows Barbara (Gemma Arterton), a young woman working in a Blackpool rock factory who sets off for London without a plan, but with a dream.

She embarks on a mission to reinvent herself and find her voice in the male-dominated world of the 1960s sitcom.

However the road to stardom is paved with banana skins and she has many a pratfall before she achieves her goal.

Who created Funny Woman?

Nick Hornby and Morwenna Banks adapted Funny Girl - Hornby’s bestselling 2014 novel of the same name - for TV.

It’s unrelated to the Broadway musical, Funny Girl, and its 1968 screen adaptation starring Barbra Streisand.

The director of Funny Woman is Oliver Parker, who directed 2016 film Dad's Army as well as Arterton's film debut, St Trinian's.

Gemma Arterton said: “Funny Woman is a heart-warming story of an ambitious woman with a dream of making people laugh – it’s going to be something special.

“It’s an honour to be working with such an incredible team and be reunited with my first ever director, Oliver Parker.”