THE second season of Sky’s comedy-drama Funny Woman which was partly filmed in St Helens will be aired this week.

Season one of Funny Woman landed on our screens in February 2023 with a bang. Based on Funny Girl, the best-selling novel by Nick Hornby, Funny Woman stars Gemma Arterton as a feisty heroine who redefines the prevailing attitude to funny women in the male-dominated world of the 60’s.

Set against the backdrop of the Swinging Sixties, we follow Barbara Parker’s journey from Blackpool beauty queen to comedy superstar and nation’s sweetheart. And after a hit first series, Funny Woman is returning for a second and will hit screens this Friday, September 6.

On location in St Helens

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.

St Helens was used in the first series, with the former Pilkington head office, at Alexandra Business Park, turned into TVC headquarters in the series.

READ: St Helens landmark features in second series of Sky's comedy drama

The official synopsis for Series 2 of Funny Woman, as released by Sky, reads: “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to London, determined to get the gang back together and to create a new show which reflects her real life, challenges outdated cultural conventions.”

READ: Five minutes with Sky’s Funny Woman star Gemma Arterton

Where to watch Funny Woman?

All episodes of Funny Woman S1 are available to watch on Sky Max and streaming service NOW.

As a Sky Original, Sky Max is where you’ll find the second series when it arrives on 6 September 2024.

Funny Woman is not available to watch on Netflix; it can only be watched on Sky and NOW in the UK.

When will series two of Funny Woman air?

The second series will hit UK screens on Friday, September 6, 2024 – exclusively on Sky Max and NOW.

How many episodes are there?

The first series of Funny Woman ran for six episodes, with a running time of around 55 minutes per episode.

The second series – which is debuting on Sky Max and NOW on September 6 – will consist of four episodes.

Who stars in Funny Woman?

The main leading cast members from the first series are:

Gemma Arterton (The King’s Man, Summerland) as Barbara Parker / Sophie Straw

Rupert Everett (My Best Friend’s Wedding, Adult Material) as Barbara’s agent Brian Debehnam

David Threlfall (Shameless) as George Parker

Tom Bateman (Behind Her Eyes, Murder on the Orient Express) as actor Clive

Emily Bevan (The Full Monty, Temple) as Edith Mahindra

Leo Bill (Becoming Elizabeth) as Tony

Matthew Beard (Vienna Blood, Avenue 5) as Bill Gardiner

Clare-Hope Ashitey (Top Boy) as Diane

Arsher Ali (Informer, The Fear Index) as Dennis Mahindra

Alexa Davies (White House Farm, COBRA) as Marjorie Harrison

Returning cast for series two of Funny Woman includes Gemma Arterton, Arsher Ali, David Threlfall, Rosie Cavaliero, Alexa Davies, Matthew Beard, Leo Bill, Clare-Hope Ashitey, Alistair Petrie, Olivia Williams, Emily Bevan, and Doon Mackichan.

The following will be joining the cast for the second series:

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)

Josie Lawrence (Father Brown, Midsomer Murders)

Funny Woman series two is available on Sky Max and streaming service NOW from Friday, September 6.