Sophie Straw Is Back, Baby, in 'Funny Woman's Season Premiere
Sophie Straw (née Barbara Parker and played by Gemma Arterton) just wants to exercise her judgment in both professional and personal matters. Why is that so hard? That’s rhetorical; I know why it’s hard: there would be no TV show without this central conflict and journey, and it would not work as a series about a very talented, very beautiful young woman making her way in a world entirely unprepared to have her turn up without it, either. And yet, it drives me bananas, which is the point.
(I am an easy mark; well done, series creator and writer Morwenna Banks!)
Even in the throes of this class/geography/gender politics vexation, I’m so happy to have Funny Woman back on screen. Within the substantial constraints of an abbreviated four-episode season, we get quite a bit of forward motion in the plot and some satisfying character development for nearly every character. The Swinging London setting and costumes are as delightful as ever, and the challenges each character is grappling with are compelling. Season two is squarely within best-case scenario territory for the second season of a solid drama with genuine humor and heart at its core.
