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In the second episode of the new second season of Funny Woman, Sophie (Gemma Arterton) reunites the gang, but things have changed. Bill (Matthew Beard), occupied with writing his novel, and Tony (Leo Bill), burdened by the sitcom workload, create a sense of disconnect. The air of awkwardness thickens with Dennis’s (Arsher Ali) recent divorce […]

Funny Woman: Series 2, Episode 2...

Gemma Arterton returns as ambitious comedienne Sophie Straw in the second season of Funny Woman. Adapted from Nick Hornby’s novel Funny Girl, the new season follows Sophie as she navigates the challenges of fame and the gender biases of 1960s Britain.

When we first met Sophie in season one, she had just made the journey from her hometown of Blackpool to London, hoping to break into comedy alongside her idol Lucille Ball. Through pluck and talent, she managed to find success but also glimpsed the prejudice facing women in the industry. Now, Sophie has become a star, with her groundbreaking sitcom Barbara and Jim a hit on the BBC. But this new season shows she still has battles ahead in her quest to make comedy truly equal.

Sophie aims to use her growing influence to lift up other female comics and take on problematic attitudes in both her work and the world around her.

Gemma Arterton reprises her role as Sophie in the second series of Funny Woman, and she’s riding high. Sophie has become the nation’s favourite TV comedy star, enjoying a circle of good friends and a blossoming romance with Dennis. However, their relationship faces a significant challenge as Dennis’s divorce is expected to take three years. […]

Funny Woman: Series 2 Premiere (Sky Max Friday 6 September 2024)...

Sky has released first look images at the second season of its original comedy-drama series, “Funny Woman,” starring Gemma Arterton. The series will debut on September 6, 2024, exclusively on Sky Max and the Now streaming service. Set in the swinging 1960s, the new season sees the return of Arterton as Sophie Straw, the nation’s […]

Sky Releases First Look at “Funny Woman” Season 2 with Gemma Arterton...

Exclusive: With Ian McKellen on the mend after wrist and neck injuries he suffered when he fell from the stage during a performance of swashbuckling Shakespearean drama Player Kings in London’s West End, the beloved star is eying a return to work.

No, the knighted thespian won’t be treading the boards anytime soon, but Deadline can reveal that the actor will do some last-minute “danger free“ post-production voice work for murder mystery movie The Critic in which McKellen stars as Jimmy Esrkine, a puffed up, once great first-night drama reviewer. McKellen stars alongside Gemma Arterton as Nina Land, a struggling West End ingénue who witnesses something she shouldn’t have seen.

Mark Strong, Alfred Enoch, Lesley Manville, Ben Barnes and Romona Garai co-star.

Lionsgate UK struck a distribution deal with Zygi Kamasa’s True Brit Entertainment to...

Hangtime International Pictures is making its first major plays since launching at Cannes Film Festival earlier this year.

The transatlantic production company, which was founded by Frank Murray and Frida Torresblanco, has snapped up “She Will” producer Jessica Malik as its new head of development as well as inking a strategic partnership with Rebel Park Productions, the production company Malik founded in 2017 alongside Gemma Arterton and Jessica Parker.

Malik joins Hangtime effective immediately, reporting to Murray. She will be based out of the company’s London office where she’ll oversee development of high-end, specialist and mainstream content across film, television and documentaries.

The first projects co-produced by Hangtime and Rebel Park are in advanced development and set to be announced in the near future. The partnership spans film and television.

At Rebel Park, which was launched in 2017 with the aim of boosting female filmmakers and producing female-led stories, Malik...

Exclusive: Paradigm has signed actor, writer and producer Steve Zissis (Togetherness) for representation in all areas.

Best known for co-creating, writing and starring on HBO’s acclaimed comedy-drama Togetherness, Zissis collaborated with the Duplass Brothers on that series, as well as their films The Do-Deca Pentathlon, Jeff, Who Lives at Home, Cyrus and Baghead.

On the film side, he’s recently appeared in Bliss opposite Owen Wilson and Salma Hayek and Bad Hair from writer-director Justin Simien. Other notable credits include the Universal horror pic Happy Death Day 2 U, Jason Reitman’s The Front Runner opposite Hugh Jackman, Another Evil, and Spike Jonze’s Her.

In television, Zissis has been seen in the Golden Globe-nominated The Comey Rule (Showtime) as well as The Guest Book (TBS), I’m Sorry (TruTV), Single Parents (ABC), The League (FX), Arrested Development (Netflix), Parks and Recreation (NBC) and The Office (NBC).

Currently, Zissis...

Emma Thompson and Ruth Wilson (Luther) have been tapped to star in Down Cemetery Road, a thriller series for Apple TV+ based on the book from Gold Dagger Award-winning author Mick Herron.

The project comes to Apple following the streamer’s work with Herron on Slow Horses, its hugely popular espionage drama based on his Slough House novels. Thus far airing three seasons, the show starring Gary Oldman has garnered multiple BAFTA nominations and has been renewed through Season 5.

A writer on that series, Morwenna Banks, will serve as lead writer and exec producer of Down Cemetery Road. The show centers on Sarah Tucker (Wilson), who becomes obsessed with finding a neighbor girl who disappeared in the aftermath of a house explosion in a quiet Oxford suburb. After enlisting the help of private investigator Zoë Boehm (Thompson) in her quest, the pair find themselves...

Man vs. machine chess thriller Rematch was awarded the International Competition grand prize at the 2024 Series Mania festival on Friday night (March 22) in Lille, France.

Inspired by the true story of the historic confrontation between chess master Garry Kasparov and Ibm’s supercomputer Deep Blue, the AI-themed story created by Yan England, André Gulluni and Bruno Nahon is produced by Unité, Arte France, Federation Studios and Proton and stars Christian Cooke. Federation Studios handles international sales.

Scroll down for full list of winners

The international competition jury, presided by The Oa creator Zal Batmanglij, also gave awards to the stars...

Viewers, get ready for an evening filled with laughter and heartwarming moments as “Funny Woman” returns with Season 1, Episode 6. On Sunday, February 11, 2024, at 10:00 Pm on PBS, join the team for a delightful and memorable last show that promises to be a fitting conclusion to this endearing series.

In this episode, the team comes together once more to record a triumphant last show. As Barbara, the central character of “Funny Woman,” takes her final bow, there’s a sense of closure and nostalgia in the air. But hold on to your seats, because there are still a few surprises in store!

“Funny Woman” has been a heartwarming journey, celebrating the world of comedy and the remarkable women who have made their mark in this industry. Episode 6 serves as a touching farewell, offering viewers one last chance to revel in the wit and humor that have defined the series.

Barbara’s...

Get ready for another captivating episode of “Funny Woman” airing on PBS, Sunday, February 4th, 2024, at 10:00 Pm. In Season 1, Episode 5, viewers are in for a rollercoaster of emotions.

Barbara, our fearless protagonist, finds herself in the seaside town of Blackpool, far from the glitz and glamour of the entertainment world. As she grapples with the idea that her career may be over, we’re taken on a journey through her trials and tribulations.

Meanwhile, Clive, the remorseful romantic, decides to take matters into his own hands and make amends. His quest to win Barbara back promises to tug at your heartstrings.

“Funny Woman” has been a delightful exploration of the entertainment industry, showcasing the highs and lows of a career in showbiz. With its engaging characters and compelling storyline, it’s a must-watch for anyone who loves drama, comedy, and a touch of nostalgia.

So, mark your calendars for February 4th,...

PBS brings forth another intriguing episode of “Funny Woman” with Season 1, Episode 4, airing at 10:00 Pm on Sunday, January 28, 2024. In this installment, viewers can anticipate the captivating off-screen romance between Barbara and Clive, characters whose love story has enthralled the town.

However, the plot takes a dramatic turn as Barbara stumbles upon a discovery that has the potential to jeopardize the very fabric of the show. As the town is swept up in the excitement of the on-screen and off-screen dynamics, the revelation adds a layer of tension and uncertainty to the narrative.

“Funny Woman” continues to blend humor, romance, and unexpected twists, making Episode 4 a must-watch for fans of the series. PBS invites viewers to delve into the complexities of love and laughter in this charming town, where on and off-screen lives intertwine in surprising ways. Don’t miss the unraveling drama this Sunday night!

Release Date & Time: 10:...

The captivating journey of “Funny Woman” unfolds in Season 1 Episode 3, airing at 10:00 Pm on Sunday, January 21, 2024, on PBS. Barbara’s life takes a dramatic turn overnight as her show achieves unprecedented success, catapulting her into the limelight. The episode promises to delve into the complexities of fame and fortune, exploring how the overnight success transforms Barbara’s world.

With newfound success, Barbara finds herself navigating the highs and lows of the entertainment industry. As the spotlight intensifies, she embarks on a romantic journey with Clive, adding a layer of personal complexity to her professional triumphs.

Viewers can anticipate a blend of humor, romance, and the challenges of navigating newfound celebrity status in “Funny Woman.” Tune in for a delightful evening as PBS unveils the next chapter in Barbara’s story, offering a glimpse into the intricacies of love, laughter, and life in the world of comedy.

Release Date & Time:...

Funny Woman, the comedy drama based on a character created by Nick Hornby, is back for a second series. Here are the details...

Production is underway on the second series of Funny Woman, the Sky comedy drama based on the 2014 novel by Nick Hornby.

Gemma Arterton stars as a budding comedian inspired by Lucille Ball, who attempts to make a name for herself in the oppressive, male dominated culture of 1960s London. Production is now underway on the second series, which will comprise four hour-long episodes.

The synopsis for the new series reads as follows:

Series 2 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.

This Sunday at 10:00 Pm on PBS, viewers are in for a rollercoaster of emotions with Season 1 Episode 2 of “Funny Woman.” The episode unfolds as Barbara, the protagonist, secures a lead role in a new TV sitcom, marking a significant milestone in her career. However, the joy of this achievement is overshadowed by unexpected news from home, casting a shadow on her burgeoning success.

The succinct description, “Barbara lands a lead role in a new TV sitcom, but news from home threatens to derail her plans,” hints at the delicate balance between professional aspirations and personal challenges that Barbara must navigate. As the storyline unfolds, viewers can expect a poignant exploration of resilience, determination, and the intricate interplay between one’s career and personal life.

Don’t miss this episode of “Funny Woman,” where laughter and tears intertwine, offering a relatable and heartfelt narrative that resonates with audiences on PBS.

PBS‘s latest dramedy Funny Woman is sure to delight as the 1960s-set series tells the story of Barbara Parker, played by Gemma Arterton. The network is known for its period dramas and British content, often depicting real-life stories, but is Barbara Parker and Funny Woman‘s story based on a true story? The answer is a resounding no, as the show takes full inspiration from Nick Hornby‘s 2016 novel Funny Girl. In the series, Barbara Parker is a small-town beauty queen who decides to swap her pageant life for comedy television in London. (Credit: © Potboiler Productions; © Sky UK Limited) After landing a gig with a show following a TV audition, Barbara finds herself challenged by the reality of being a woman in a largely male-dominated environment. In the show, Barbara “finds her funny” voice, and redefines the leading attitude toward funny women all while trying to reinvent herself. When...

In any given year, British TV can be relied on to provide plenty in the way of crime drama, and 2023 was no different. Between these returning series and newcomers A Town Called Malice, Blue Lights, Marlow, Payback, Rebus, Steeltown Murders, The Gold, The Sixth Commandment, Wolf and more, crime continued to flourish on the small screen.

Happily though, that was far from all that UK TV offered this year. There was fantasy too, in the form of Netflix’s South London super-powers drama Supacell, ghost detective series Lockwood & Co., Greek and Roman mythology series Kaos, and sci-fi in Prime Video’s The Rig.

Add to all those the romances, dramas inspired by real-life, and several other book adaptations, period and otherwise plus music-based dramas Champion and This Town, and it was a pretty full slate.

January Stonehouse

Succession‘s Matthew Macfadyen and Crossfire‘s Keeley Hawes star in this three-part ITV drama,...

This Sunday at 10:00 Pm on PBS, “Funny Woman” Season 1 Episode 1 debuts with an intriguing premiere. The episode, simply titled “Funny Woman,” introduces viewers to the captivating journey of Barbara Parker. In a bold move, Barbara decides to leave her family behind to pursue a career in show business, setting the stage for a narrative filled with humor, challenges, and the pursuit of dreams.

As the inaugural episode unfolds, audiences can anticipate a blend of comedy and poignant moments, delving into the complexities of Barbara’s decision to step into the spotlight in London. “Funny Woman” promises to deliver a fresh perspective on the world of entertainment, exploring the sacrifices and triumphs that come with chasing one’s passion.

Don’t miss the premiere of “Funny Woman” Season 1 Episode 1 as it takes viewers on a comedic and heartfelt journey through the life of Barbara Parker, a woman daring to make...

Midseason is the new fall.

As Hollywood and the broader industry continue to recover from the debilitating dual actors and writers strikes, the 2024 television landscape is coming into focus. All of the broadcast networks have set return dates for most of their shows, with the postponed Emmy Awards now set for January 15 and no usual Premiere Week to speak of.

But as series return to production with lower episode counts this truncated season, here again is Deadline’s annual list of premiere dates for new and returning TV series.

The roster covers hundreds of broadcast, cable and streaming programs debuting through 2024, with many listed as Tba as the year kicks off. It includes series and season debuts, shows returning from hiatus and some one-offs such as live sports and awards specials but not movies. The list includes shows that are in limbo for now but are likely to get premiere dates in the coming months.

PBS has set premiere dates for the new year as Winter 2024 looks forward to new episodes of Finding Your Roots, All Creatures Great and Small, and Call the Midwife among others. Slated to arrive between January and March, we’re breaking down all the need-to-know dates, below: January 2024 Monday, January 1 Great Performances, “From Vienna: The New Year’s Celebration 2024” – 8pm Et Tuesday, January 2 Finding Your Roots (Season 10) – 8pm Et American Masters, “Hopper: An American Love Story” – 9pm Et A Citizen’s Guide to Preserving Democracy – 10pm Et Sunday, January 7 Miss Scarlett and the Duke on Masterpiece (Season 4) – 8pm Et All Creatures Great and Small on Masterpiece (Season 4) – 9pm Et Funny Woman – 10pm Et Antiques Roadshow (Credit: Meredith Nierman / ©Wgbh / Courtesy: Everett Collection) Monday, January 8 Antiques Roadshow (Season 28) – 8pm Et The Cost of Inheritance: An America Reframed Special – 10pm Et Tuesday, January 9 Independent Lens, “Beyond Utopia” – 9pm Et Wednesday, January 10 Nature,...

With Series Mania 2023 coming to a close, the event’s founder and general director Laurence Herszberg announced the winners of the Series Mania Festival today.

”We would first like to thank the public and the professionals who attended this edition, which brought together more than 85,000 participants for the Festival and 3,800 participants from 64 countries for the Forum. We are delighted to announce our prize list and figures that have far exceeded our expectations,” said Herszberg.

With the rise of streaming across the world, Series Mania has become one of the most attractive events in the global TV calendar. It’s largely looked at as a place where writers, distributors and producers can liase with each other in a less formal setting than compared to a TV sales market. It includes not just the festival, the Forum, key conferences, keynotes, and pitching sessions.

This year the festival screened 54 unreleased series, with 32 world premieres and 10 international premieres.

Lille, France — Headed by a commanding performance from Navid Mohammadzadeh, superbly shot and packing arguably the best opening scene of any series in Series Mania main competition, Navid Javidi’s “The Actor” won the Grand Prize at Series Mania on Friday night.

The top Series Mania award for the “The Actor” also proves vindication for the Festival which this year has broadened its geographical reach in an effort to discover new narrative modes and styles. Consistently subordinating narrative to mood, “The Actor” certainly wins on that score.

Main scribe John Kåre Raake (“The Quake”) and co-scribe Linn-Jeanethe Kyed (“Bø”) scooped best writing for “The Fortress,” a banner upcoming Viaplay title produced by Norway’s Maipo Film and sold by TrustNordisk, which delivers a telling political cautionary tale for our times, a chic isolationist parable thriller set in an alternative Norway which has built a wall to keep foreigners out. When a virus strikes,...

Event wrapped in Lille against backdrop of nationwide unrest in France.

Navid Javidi’s The Actor starring Navid Mohammadzadeh was awarded the International Competition grand prize at 2023 Series Mania in the first year in which content from Iran participated in the event in Lille, France.

Series Mania founder and general director Laurence Herszberg summed up the event as it came to a close, noting that this year’s edition drew more than 85,000 festival participants – representing a significant increase on last year’s 70,000 – and around 3,800 from 64 countries for the industry forum.

Besides Iran, debutant participating countries included Japan, Argentina, UAE, Turkey,...

Gemma Arterton has admitted she feels “sad” about the fact that her estuary accent has faded after being told it risked her being typecast.

The British actor grew up on a council estate in Gravesend, Kent, and once had a “strong working-class estuary accent”.

However, the Quantum of Solace star has now said she was advised to phase her accent out to boost her career prospects.

“[My accent] was associated with people from less affluent backgrounds,” she told The Observer in a Q&a published on Sunday 19 March.

“It’s different now at drama school but in my day, we were told to lose the accent or you’d only play maids or whatever. It’s a shame because I did have a strong working-class estuary accent. I feel a bit sad that it’s gone.”

The 37-year-old added that her accent does tend to return after a few drinks: “Or around my family.

Gemma Arterton has admitted she feels “sad” about the fact that her estuary accent has faded after being told it risked her being typecast.

The British actor grew up on a council estate in Gravesend, Kent, and once had a “strong working-class estuary accent”.

However, the Quantum of Solace star has now said she was advised to phase her accent out to boost her career prospects.

“[My accent] was associated with people from less affluent backgrounds,” she told The Observer in a Q&a published on Sunday 19 March.

“It’s different now at drama school but in my day, we were told to lose the accent or you’d only play maids or whatever. It’s a shame because I did have a strong working-class estuary accent. I feel a bit sad that it’s gone.”

The 37-year-old added that her accent does tend to return after a few drinks: “Or around my family.

The actor and producer on the joy of clowning around in her new comedy Funny Woman, how female solidarity has changed her professional life, and her top choice for a karaoke belter

Gemma Arterton, 37, was born in Gravesend and trained at Rada. Aged 21, she made her professional stage debut at Shakespeare’s Globe and her film debut in St Trinian’s. The following year, she landed the coveted role of Strawberry Fields in the Bond film Quantum of Solace. On TV, she has starred in Tess of the D’Urbervilles and Black Narcissus; stage highlights include Made in Dagenham, Nell Gwynn and Saint Joan. She now produces and plays the lead role in Funny Woman, the TV adaptation of Nick Hornby’s novel Funny Girl, about a beauty queen from Blackpool who moves to swinging 60s London to break into the comedy scene. Arterton lives in East Sussex with her husband,...

Series Mania has always been about discovery: Of drama series as an art form, in its early days from launch in 2009; then of key players on a burgeoning international premium TV scene.

Series Mania’s International Panorama now catches a new wave of creatives transitioning from film to scripted TV – Israel’s Yaron Shani with “Innermost,” Spain’s Isaki Lacuesta and Isa Campo with episodes of “Apagón”; and highlights notable emerging auteurs: Denmark’s Kasper Møller Rask, Canada’s Alexis Durand-Brault, Spain’s Fran Araujo, Pakistan’s Assim Abassi and Germany’s Jakob and Jonas Weydemann.

But for having already bowed at national festivals, some of the 12 titles below could well have been in the running for a Competition berth.

Below, the Series Mania’s rich 2023 International Panorama:

“Apagón,” (“Offworld,” Spain)

One of Variety’s Best International TV Shows of 2022, a realistic, sophisticated disaster thriller from Movistar+ and Buendía Estudios...

French TV festival Series Mania started out playfully with a slew of humorous digs directed at its starry guests during the opening ceremony, including Brian Cox, back in town to hold a masterclass and introduce the latest episode of his smash hit “Succession.”

“I didn’t have time to watch Season 3. I have to see my children grow up, Brian!,” exclaimed host Daphné Bürki, before introducing this year’s opening show “Greek Salad” by Cédric Klapisch: “A prequel to ‘Norwegian Omelette,’ always starring Romain Duris,” Bürki joked.

Series Mania general director Laurence Herszberg joined in on the fun, giving a shoutout to “Emily in Paris’s” Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu, attending with co-star Arnaud Binard: “She became a symbol of a Parisian woman. I hope there isn’t too much weight on your shoulders, Philippine!”

Jumping from stage onto the screen, Herszberg also starred alongside artistic director Frédéric Lavigne in...

Catching a breath after that astonishing final series of Happy Valley? Well, we have bad news – the box isn’t going to let you rest for a single second. The line-up of TV series and streaming shows flooding into your living room this year is, frankly, incredible, meaning you’ll want to have a thorough schedule planned out of what to watch and when.

The return of David Tennant in Doctor Who. Read Empire’s hand-picked guide to the best TV 2023 has in store for you, and happy viewing.

February 2nd:

Nolly

Russell T. Davies already had our attention given his return to Doctor Who, but this series, which stars Helena Bonham Carter as Crossroads actor Noele Gordon, who served on the soap for years before she was unceremoniously given the boot. There will be drama. There will be tears. There might be wobbly sets? After all… Crossroads.

Where: Itvx...

How do you tell the story of a heist, when the heist isn’t the story? In 1983, six masked burglars broke into a warehouse on a trading estate near Heathrow. They were looking to crack into a vault, but when the security guards failed to provide a passcode – even when doused in petrol and threatened with a naked flame – attention turned to the glistening stash outside the vault. And this is where the story of The Gold, BBC One’s new six-part retelling of the Brink’s-Mat robbery, begins. This isn’t the story of a heist, but of what happened next.

“How do you shift three tonnes of gold?” asks Charlotte Spencer’s Rotherhithe local copper, Nicki. “Slowly,” replies her partner Tony (Emun Elliott). There are other adverbs he might have chosen: agonisingly, complicatedly, infuriatingly. Instead of the expected million quid in the vault, the team of low-level crooks...

In Funny Woman, Gemma Arterton and Barbara Parker – the Blackpool beauty queen that Arterton plays – have a similar problem. They are both funnier and smarter than everyone around them. Barbara wants to be a comedy star, but first she must outsmart legions of lascivious, patronising men in suits. Arterton plays the role with a breezy ease and natural wit, but she must glide through a stilted script inhabited by cipher-like characters.

The show, adapted from Nick Hornby’s 2014 novel, is set in the swinging Sixties. When we first meet Barbara, she’s rolling sticks of rock in a local factory, and has just been named the 1964 Blackpool Belle. “I am here, if you want to ask me anything,” she tells a photographer from the local paper, who only talks to her father and never looks at her face. In other words, Barbara will not be your conventional, sweetly smiling pin-up girl.

Event closes with Anna Winger’s Netflix series Transatlantic.

Series Mania will kick off its 2023 event with Cédric Klapisch’s Amazon French Original series Greek Salad before serving up 32 world premieres, an industry Forum, and closing with Anna Winger’s Netflix series Transatlantic.

The International Competition of the annual television festival and industry event includes Franco-Belgian Arte series Grace of Heaven, Apple TV+, France Televisions and Hulu Japan’s Drops of God, Paramount+’s Spanish Fleeting Lies, Reshet 13’s Israeli series Red Skies, Viaplay’s Norwegian The Fortress and Prime Video’s US series The Power. Among the titles from...

The world premieres of Cédric Klapisch’s Amazon Prime Video show “Greek Salad” and Anna Winger’s Netflix series “Transatlantic” will open and close the 2023 edition of Series Mania.

The event will feature masterclasses with “Succession” star Brian Cox, “Westworld” producer Lisa Joy, who also will preside over the international competition jury, Klapisch and renowned French actors Cécile de France (“Lost Illusions”) and Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu (“Emily in Paris”).

Series in the international competition this year include Arte’s “Grace of Heaven” (France/Belgium); Apple TV+, France Télévisions, Hulu Japan’s “Drops of God” (France/U.S./Japan); Paramount+’s “Fleeting Lies” (Spain); Mega TV’s “Milky Way” (Greece); Reshet 13’s “Red Skies” (Israel); Filimo, Namava’s “The Actor” (Iran); Viaplay’s “The Fortress” (Norway); and Prime Video’s “The Power” (U.S.)

The international jury, which also includes French actor Emmanuelle Béart, British showrunner-screenwriter Chris Chibnall (“Broadchurch”), French-British singer-songwriter and actor Lou Doillon,...

In her latest screen project, “Funny Woman,” Gemma Arterton (“The King’s Man”) plays a beauty queen turned comedy queen at the height of the Swinging Sixties.

Based on Nick Hornby’s book of the same name and adapted for screen by writer and comedian Morwenna Banks (“Slow Horses”), “Funny Woman” tells the story of Barbara (played by Arterton) who, after winning the title of Miss Blackpool, decamps to London to seek her fortune. There she finds herself moving into comedy before landing the lead in a hit sitcom.

The show, which Arterton also executive produced, explores stereotypes, feminism, class and societal change. “We’ve got it running through our series, this thing of, ‘Well, you can’t be funny and attractive,’ which is an outdated notion now, especially in the last 10 years, but it wasn’t for a very long time,” Arterton says. “[Society] put women in boxes like that.”

Hornby’s book,...

Streaming

Series “Tulsa King,” “1923,” “Funny Woman,” “Mayor of Kingstown” Season 2, “Rabbit Hole,” “Ripley,” “Three Women” and “Lioness” and blockbuster films “Top Gun: Maverick,” “Jurassic World Dominion,” “Minions: The Rise of Gru,” “The Northman,” “Downton Abbey: A New Era,” “Nope,” “Ambulance” and “The Bad Guys” are among the content slate revealed by streamer SkyShowtime at a launch event in Amsterdam.

The content is specific to Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Netherlands and Portugal, where SkyShowtime is now available. SkyShowtime will continue its roll out across Spain, Andorra and central and eastern Europe over the coming months and through Q1 2023 and ultimately will be available in more than 20 European markets encompassing 90 million homes including Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Kosovo, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.

SkyShowtime features content from Universal Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon, DreamWorks Animation,...

Click here to read the full article.

SkyShowtime, the European streaming joint venture formed by Sky parent Comcast and Showtime owner Paramount Global, has set Dec. 14 as the launch date for its first Central and Eastern European markets.

SkyShowtime CEO Monty Sarhan revealed the news during an on-stage appearance at the brand’s official launch event in Amsterdam, Netherlands on Thursday evening. The SkyShowtime streaming service, which debuted in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden on Sept. 20, followed by the Netherlands and Portugal on Oct. 25, will become available in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia on Dec. 14.

That will take its reach to 13 of its planned 22 markets, which encompass 90 million homes. It will then expand into Albania, the Czech Republic, Hungary, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania and Slovakia in February 2023. Spain and Andorra are the remaining markets where the streamer will become available during the first quarter of...

As the nights draw in and autumn arrives, some of the year’s hottest TV shows hit our screens, and drama is no exception.

In amongst the new series of cult reality shows like The Great British Bake Off, Strictly Come Dancing, Drag Race UK and I’m a Celebrity, UK TV networks start a fierce competition for the must-watch autumn dramas that will get everyone talking, leaving us with an eye-watering number of release dates to look forward to.

Here are some of the highlights from the UK’s autumn 2022 drama releases.

The Bastard Son and The Devil Himself

Netflix’s Spooky Season line-up includes this eight-part drama based on the Half Bad trilogy of YA books by Sally Greene. It tells the story of sixteen-year-old Nathan (Jay Lycurgo), the illegitimate son of the world’s most dangerous witch, who has spent his life being monitored for signs he...

Exclusive: Ian McKellen (The Good Liar), Gemma Arterton (Summerland) and Mark Strong (1917) will lead the cast of The Critic, a period thriller based on Anthony Quinn’s classic novel Curtain Call. Oscar nominee Lesley Manville (Phantom Thread), BAFTA nominee Romola Garai (Suffragette), Ben Barnes (Westworld) and Alfred Enoch (Foundation) will also star.

In the film set in 1934 London, McKellen plays Jimmy Erskine, the most feared drama critic in town—with Arterton as Nina Land, the actress determined to win his favor. When Jimmy finds himself in the crosshairs of his newspaper’s new owner, David Brooke (Strong), Nina becomes entangled in a dangerous web of blackmail, deceit and murder.

Anand Tucker (Hilary and Jackie) is directing from a script by Oscar nominee Patrick Marber (Notes on a Scandal), with production underway in and around London. The film is being fully financed and produced by London-based BKStudios, with owner Bill Kenwright...

For the past two Mays, Hollywood’s studio lots have remained quiet during the week they should be buzzing with the world’s top international acquisitions execs, excitedly chomping down on In-n-Out burgers and squeezing into grand theater halls at the annual LA Screenings.

Normal service will be resumed next week, as in-person screenings return for the first time since 2019 following the (seeming) end of the worst of the Covid pandemic. Execs are closing down their Zoom apps and instead eyeing up lunches in the sun and the programs that have most caught their eye during pilot season. As one UK buyer says: “It’s not quite as fun chatting over a cheese sandwich at home than fine dining in Los Angeles.”

But it’s hardly a secret that the LA Screenings aren’t exactly what they once were to the international TV community, with many shows taken off the...

Yesterday evening the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane saw the unfurling of the red carpet for Sky’s Up Next Event, a celebration of Sky entertainment. Guests got a look at what’s coming up next on Sky and hear from the stars of some of their biggest TV shows and films. From returning favourites to brand new obsessions, these are the TV moments that everyone will be talking about.

The event was attended by Anjli Mohindra, Paapa Essiedu and Caroline Quentin from The Lazarus Project, Damien Molony, Joe Gilgun, Aaron Heffernan, Joanna Higson, Tom Hanson and Bronagh Gallagher from Brassic, Daisy Haggard from Breeders 3, Gemma Arterton and Morwenna Banks from Funny Woman, Greg Davies from Never Mind the Buzzcocks 2, Sheridan Smith, Pauline McLynn and Ardal O’Hanlon from Rosie Malloy, Joe Sugg from The Amazing Maurice, Katherine Ryan from Romantic Getaway, Keeley Hawes from The Midwich Cuckoos, Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan from Rob & Romesh Vs…...