As regular viewers know, January brings new drama to Sunday nights. This year, we’ve been treated to new seasons of MISS SCARLET & THE DUKE and ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL. But at 10pm, there’s FUNNY WOMAN, a new program starring Gemma Arterton.
Based on the novel Funny Girl by Nick Hornby and set in the Swinging Sixties, FUNNY WOMAN chronicles a woman’s struggle to find her voice in the male-dominated world of comedy. The series aired on Britain’s Sky Max early last year and runs on PBS through February 11.
But who’s who? Where have you spied the familiar faces among the cast? That’s what we’re here to find out…
Gemma Arterton stars as Blackpool beauty queen Barbara Parker who heads to London to take the entertainment industry by storm. About 15 years back, Arterton starred as Tess Durbeyfield in Tess Of The D’urbervilles on Masterpiece. But that’s about it until now.
Tom Bateman plays Barbara’s co-star Clive Richardson. He’s best known for his role of John Beecham in Beecham House.
Arsher Ali portrays director Dennis Mahindra. You may remember him opposite Martin Clunes in Arthur & George as George Edalji. He was also DS Vinesh Roy in The Guilty.
Rupert Everett is theatrical agent Brian Debenham. Going back about 40 years, Everett played George Garforth in The Far Pavilions.
Matthew Beard portrays Bill Gardiner. He’s been seen in Vienna Blood as Max Liebermann and in Magpie Murders as James Taylor/Fraser.
David Threlfall plays George Parker, Barbara’s dad. If you’ve a long memory, you may recall him as Leslie Titmuss in Paradise Postponed and its follow up Titmuss Regained.
Alexa Davies is Barbara’s friend Marjorie Harrison. She also played Audrey Hemmings in Cobra.
Rosie Cavaliero portrays Marie Parker, Barbara’s aunt. Cavaliero was Marion Kelsey in series two of Unforgotten, Susan Reinhardt in series one of Prey, Paula in Spy and Mrs. Plornish in Little Dorrit.
Lastly, Alistair Petrie plays TV exec Ted Sargent. He’s been seen in Agatha And The Midnight Murders as Sir Malcolm Campbell and in The Forsyte Saga as George Forsyte.
So there you have it. Some of the main actors from the series you may know from elsewhere. FUNNY WOMAN continues Sunday night at 10 on PBS NC.
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