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 But with new opportunities come new challenges, will Sophie be able to embrace her real life and challenge outdated cultural conventions?