Gemma Arterton films Funny Girl in Liverpool
A three-month shoot begins in Liverpool today, 20 September, on new Sky comedy Funny Girl, starring Gemma Arterton, adapted from the 2014 novel by Nick Hornby.
Arterton plays Barbara Parker, a young woman from Blackpool who finds her comic voice in the male-dominated world of the 1960s sitcom.
Parker’s journey from being a Blackpool beauty queen to comedy superstar and nation’s sweetheart is set against the cultural explosion of the 1960s.
Clare-Hope Ashitey, Arsher Ali and Alexa Davies also star. Oliver Parker directs from scripts by Morwenna Banks. The comedy drama is produced by Potboiler and Rebel Park Productions in association with Sky Studios.
The series is executive produced by Hornby, Arterton, Banks, Andrea Calderwood, Gail Egan, Jessica Parker and Jessica Malik.
Arterton said at the time the commission was confirmed: “It’s a heart-warming story of an ambitious woman with a dream of making people laugh – it’s going to be something special. It’s an honour to be working with such an incredible team and be reunited with my first ever director, Oliver Parker.”
Director of comedy for Sky Studios, Jon Mountague, added: “With Morwenna Banks’ brilliant script, this was the perfect opportunity to bring a contemporary take on this inspiring story. Funny, smart and revealing – exactly what a Sky Original comedy should be, and we can’t wait.”
Photo by Dave J Hogan - Image courtesy gettyimages.com.
Also on The Knowledge
Jason Statham readies to film thriller in UK
Jason Statham is readying to star in a new thriller that begins filming in the UK next week (w/c 8 April), directed by David Ayer.
Shia LaBeouf to shoot crime drama in Wales
Filming begins on 8 April on Salvable, a new crime feature starring Shia LaBeouf set against the backdrop of the boxing world.
Killer-rodent comedy horror films at Dragon Studios
A new comedy horror, The Scurry, starts filming today (2 April) on location and at Dragon Studios in Wales.
EXCLUSIVE: Knives Out 3 to shoot in the UK
Daniel Craig is set to reprise his role of private detective Benoit Blanc in the third Knives Out feature, currently setting up to shoot in the UK.
C5’s The Teacher to become anthology series as second run is greenlit
Channel 5 has ordered The Teacher II (w/t), a four-part thriller from Clapperboard starring Kara Tointon.
Luke Evans, Milla Jovovich begin filming sci-fi thriller in Northern Ireland
Filming gets underway in Northern Ireland this week on a new sci-fi thriller starring Luke Evans and Milla Jovovich.