Funny Woman Season 2: Everything You Need To Know

A Sneak Peek of Season 2

Enjoy a first look at what to expect in Funny Woman Season 2.

Funny Woman Season 2 Premiere Date

Comedy fans and sitcom enthusiasts alike, mark your calendars for the Funny Woman Season 2 premiere on Sunday, February 2, 2025. You can stream Season 2 now on PBS and the PBS app.

About Funny Woman Season 2

Barbara Parker (played by Gemma Arterton) is a woman from the English seaside town of Blackpool who always dreamt of making it big in London. In Season 1 of Funny Woman, she makes the big leap to do just that. Determined to take on the male-dominated entertainment industry by storm, Barbara adopts the stage name “Sophie Straw,” and soon enough, she lands herself the star role in a television sitcom.

In Season 2, Sophie Straw is on a high. She’s the nation’s favorite TV comedy star; she’s got a group of good friends; and her romance with Dennis (played by Arsher Ali) is full of promise. However, trouble is just around the corner: Dennis's divorce will take three years; Sophie’s new sitcom flops and she uncovers a devastating family secret. But with new opportunities come new challenges, will Sophie be able to embrace her real life and challenge outdated cultural conventions?

Disclaimer: Click the dropdown to reveal each episode's description.

Funny Woman Cast

Where did the characters of Funny Woman leave off in the first season?

Read below to find out:

Barbara Parker (played by Gemma Arterton) is a woman who grew up accustomed to a slower, quieter way of life… while always envisioning bigger plans for herself. After being crowned Miss Blackpool Queen, Barbara sets out for London to pursue her dream of comedy acting. Adopting the stage name “Sophie Straw,” she eventually lands the lead female role in a new sitcom, Jim and Barbara (and even begins a romantic relationship with her co-star, Clive Richardson). By the end of Season 1, there’s no indication of a season renewal for Barbara’s show, but she manages to solidify herself as a household name in Britain. Will her career still hold its footing in Season 2?

While Barbara is new to show business and stardom, Clive Richardson (played by Tom Bateman)– the male lead in Jim and Barbara – is well-known within the entertainment world. Despite his arrogant, self-regarding tendencies, Clive gives his all to the show, and along the way, he also develops romantic feelings for Barbara. But Clive is no gentleman, and when Barbara learns of his infidelity, she calls him out for his appalling behavior. It’s a choice that quickly backfires as the couple realizes their argument was overheard on microphones, leading to Barbara receiving a temporary suspension. Clive tries to win back Barbara, and for a moment, it looks as though the couple will actually get married. However, it turns out he has other plans for his career, and ultimately departs for America at the end of Season 1.

Spearheading the production of Jim and Barbara is the ever-so kind-hearted producer/director, Dennis Mahindra (played by Arsher Ali). Ever since first seeing Barabara at her audition, Dennis has been a steadfast advocate for her placement in the show, despite the constant pushback from his boss, Ted Sargent. Even when the network temporarily suspends Barbara from the sitcom, Dennis is adamant about ensuring her return. Of course, Dennis has romantic affections for Barbara, but he withholds saying anything because he is a married man. However, when he learns his wife Edith has been involved in an affair, Dennis finally works up the courage to tell Barbara how he truly feels…

Actors would be nowhere without their writers, and holding down the creative team is Bill Gardiner (played by Matthew Beard). Arguably the most quick-witted contributing member, Bill understands the mechanics that go into creating a successful comedy series. Unlike Clive, Bill lacks an arrogance about his work, and will often incorporate suggestions and lines that Barabara pitches. Outside of the show, Bill enjoys going out to London night clubs where he gets to meet other gay men. In the Season 1 finale, the audience also learns of Bill’s dreams of pursuing creative projects outside of his current profession– such as writing a novel – which ultimately begs the question: will Bill stick with comedy writing?

Like Bill, Tony (played by Leo Bill) is a seasoned writer who is an advocate for highlighting Barbara’s distinct comedy voice. Together, Bill and Tony make an unstoppable writing duo, and they’re both committed to pushing the boundaries of social topics discussed on the show. Tony is also a married man who grapples with his sexuality.

Far from the creative team’s inner workings is Ted Sargent (played by Alistair Petrie), the executive of Light Entertainment. Due to his corporate-aligned position, Ted’s goal is finding avenues of guaranteed revenue. Throughout Season 1, Ted imposes a list of network restrictions and expectations for the production team to adhere to. However, the big blow comes when Light Entertainment suspends Barbara after overhearing her “expletive” language. Eventually, Ted relents and allows Barbara back onto the show, but not long after, he catches word of Dennis shopping TV pitches with rival networks. Ted is determined to retain as much talent as he can, including Barbara…

Sleazy but resourceful, Brian Debenham (played by Rupert Everett) is a talent agent who meets Barbara in London. Brian is convinced Barbara has the physical looks to garner success, but Barbara is insistent on pursuing comedy. When Barbara’s career starts to take off, Brian attempts to guide her through the pressures and tumult that fame brings – especially with her high-profile relationship with Clive. However, by the end of Season 1, Barbara learns about some of Brian’s schemes, and ultimately drops him as her agent.

Diane Lewis (played by Clare-Hope Ashitey), a journalist, meets Barbara while on a profile assignment. The two women form an immediate friendship as they’re able to bond over the unjust treatment they and other women face in the workplace. As a Black woman living in the 1960s, Diane is subjected to repeated instances of racism and prejudice – however, she refuses to see herself as a victim. Although she has little power to stand on in the field of male-dominated journalism, Diane is steadfast in accomplishing her goals.

After moving to London, Barbara meets Marjorie Harrison (played by Alexa Davies), a colleague at the upscale fashion department store. The two women share a laugh over the ridiculous nature of the store’s posh, uptight clientele. Luckily for Barbara, Marjorie has an extra bed in her flat, and the two quickly become flatmates. While Barbara embarks on her career in entertainment, Marjorie commences her own journey into feminist activism.

While Barbara finds people in London who celebrate and support her – Marjorie and Diane, for example – her #1 fan continues to be her dad, George (played by David Threlfall). Before leaving for London, Barbara worked alongside George at the local candy factory. And with Barbara's mother absent her whole life, the father and daughter formed a deep connection. Even when George suffers a stroke in Blackpool, he is insistent that his daughter continues to pursue her dream in London. However, in the Season 1 finale, Barbara discovers her father may not have told her the full story about her mother – will the father and daughter find a way to work through things in Season 2?

Of course, not every relative is supportive of a family member’s dreams and aspirations, as is the case with Aunt Marie (played by Rosie Cavaliero). She believes Barbara is better off building her life in Blackpool and marrying the town’s “catch” Aiden. Marie repeatedly voices her concern to George that Barbara will run off and never return, similar to Barbara's mother. When Marie calls out Barbara for her ostensible selfishness, Barbara remains unfettered by her aunt’s negativity. After all, you can’t please everyone.

There's nothing like show biz. Until next time.