THE second series of Sky's comedy drama Funny Woman - starring Gemma Arterton - will hit the screens next week - and Globe readers should keep a look out for local landmarks.
Set in the swinging 1960s, Arterton returns as the nation’s favourite comic actress 'Sophie Straw'.
The series sees Sophie juggle her career, as well as her fledgling romance with Arsher Ali’s 'Dennis Mahindra'.
The Sky Original series "explores the themes of love, gender equality, LGBTQ rights, representation in comedy, all against the backdrop and cultural explosion of the swinging 1960s".
On location in Wirral
Much of the series is filmed in the Merseyside area and the North West, with directors having pinpointed landmarks and backdrops as settings for scenes.
In Wirral, both Wallasey and Birkenhead town halls have been used as locations, a Liverpool Film Office spokesperson confirmed.
The spokesperson added: “We are really excited to see Funny Woman return to our screens in September, our Liverpool Film Office team loved working with production, facilitating filming across the Liverpool City Region.
"It’s always great to see our locations go back in time to the 1960s, doubling for areas such as London and we’re grateful to all our partners who work closely with us to make production like this happen every day across the region!”
Funny Woman will air exclusively to Sky Max and streaming service NOW on September 6, 2024.
Who is in the cast
The second run also welcomes 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), Roisin Conaty (GameFace, Man Down), Rory Keenan (The Regime, Somewhere Boy), Lydia Wilson (Requiem, About Time), Lydia Leonard (Ten Percent, The Crown), Jack Docherty (Scot Squad, Absolutely), and Josie Lawrence (Father Brown, Midsomer Murders).
Returning cast includes David Threlfall (Shameless) as “George Parker”, Rosie Cavaliero (Code 404) as “Aunt Marie Parker”, Alexa Davies (White House Farm, COBRA) as “Marjorie Harrison”, Matthew Beard (Vienna Blood, Avenue 5) as “Bill Gardiner”, Leo Bill (Becoming Elizabeth) as “Tony”, Clare-Hope Ashitey (Top Boy) as “Diane”, Alistair Petrie (Sex Education) as “Ted Sargeant”, Olivia Williams (The Father, Dune Prophecy) as “Gloria”, Emily Bevan (The Full Monty, Temple) as “Edith Mahindra”, and Doon Mackichan (Good Omens, Two Doors Down) as “Miss Sykes”.
What to expect from the second series
The second series 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 heartthrob.
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 and challenges outdated cultural conventions.
Viewers can catch up on Funny Woman Series 1 on Sky Max and streaming service NOW, ahead of the new series dropping later this year.
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