Sky announces return of acclaimed comedy series and raft of new shows in huge schedule update
SKY has announced the comeback of a popular comedy series, as well as the addition of many new shows arriving.
The broadcaster has announced a slew of new shows for its Sky Original drama, comedy, entertainment, arts, and factual programming.
See some of the great shows coming to your screens shortly in the list below.
SKY has revealed that the hit comedy Funny Woman, starring and produced by Gemma Arterton will be returning for a second series.
In series one, Barbara from Blackpool realised her dream and became TV comedy star, Sophie Straw, the nation’s favourite.
In series two, Sophie finds out that “having a voice” doesn’t mean it will be heard and that fame is a fickle friend.
Fed up with being the comic muse in old school comedy shows, Sophie tries her hand at arthouse cinema hoping it will be more progressive – it isn’t! Undeterred, Sophie decides to create her own comedy show where she can tell authentic stories in all their messy and hilarious glory.
She’s found her voice, and no one can stop her using it! She learns that the power is in the word.
The series is written by multi-award-winning writer Morwenna Banks and directed by BAFTA nominee Oliver Parker.
Funny Woman is based on the 2014 Nick Hornby novel Funny Girl.
That in turn was heavily inspired by Blackpool beauty queen Norma Ann Sykes, whose Marilyn Monroe looks and 41in chest often overshadowed her comic talents.
NEW for Sky Documentaries & Factual
House of Kardashian
Available to watch in Autumn 2023
No other family defines our time or divides opinion like the Kardashians. To some they are admired as a dynasty of powerful women, inspiring girls across the planet.
To others they are untalented and morally bankrupt reality stars, who are damaging women by selling their life as a superficial fairytale.
House of Kardashian, a three-part documentary series, aims to confound expectations and challenge what society knows of the Kardashians, exploring their rise, reach and the cost that comes with being some of the most famous women in the world and features never-before-seen archive footage, as well as exclusive, first-hand testimony from those in the family’s inner circle, including Caitlyn Jenner.
Could this mean the Kardashians will go to war with Caitlyn Jenner over her explosive new documentary.
The former head of the Kardashian clan – who divorced from ‘momager’ Kris in 2014 – has signed up for the series which puts the family under the microscope.
The controversial new Sky show will look at whether the Kardashians are the inspirations millions of fans hail them as, or just like other run-of-the-mill reality stars.
An insider revealed: “Millions of fans see the Kardashians as people to aspire to be like, but this new programme will unpick whether these women are just selling a superficial fairytale.
“Caitlyn could rock the boat with the Kardashians by agreeing to sign up to the series just with the suggestion that the family is full of untalented and morally bankrupt reality stars.
“She’s due to give an exclusive interview and offer up her insight from an insider’s perspective, alongside never before seen footage of the Kardashians.”
Another exciting show to be landing on screens is The Tattooist of Auschwitz.
Multi-Academy Award®-winning composer Hans Zimmer (Inception, Interstellar, Dune) and Kara Talve (Prehistoric Planet) will compose the score for the upcoming adaptation of the globally bestselling novel.
The limited series, which completed filming in Europe this summer and stars Jonah Hauer-King, (The Little Mermaid, World on Fire), Anna Próchniak (Baptiste, Warsaw 44), Harvey Keitel (The Irishman, Youth), Melanie Lynskey (The Last of Us, Yellowjackets), and Jonas Nay (Deutschland 83, 86, 89), is set to debut globally next year.
It will be the first TV drama series fully composed by Hans Zimmer and Kara Talve.
Hans Zimmer says: “Within the depths of Auschwitz, here is a story of hope and love, that transcends boundaries and resonates with the very essence of our humanity. I stand humbled to be part of this extraordinary production and both Kara and I are deeply privileged to compose this score. We invite you to join us on this journey, as we celebrate the human spirit and the power of hope within the darkest corners of history.”
Kara Talve added: “This is a dream project for me; not only does it challenge me artistically but also deeply resonates personally. Like millions of others, my family perished in the camps and to have the privilege to work alongside this incredibly talented team and help bring this story of hope to life has been a unique chance to reflect and as it stands has been the most honorable undertaking of my career thus far.”
Tell Them You Love Me
Will be available to watch in November 2023
Tell Them You Love Me explores the extraordinary story of Anna Stubblefield, an esteemed university professor who becomes embroiled in a controversial affair with Derrick Johnson, a non-verbal black man with cerebral palsy.
Anna says she unlocked Derrick’s mind from his body by teaching him to communicate using a keyboard.
But when Derrick’s family begin to question his miraculous transformation, and Anna’s intentions, it would lead to a criminal trial that would challenge our perceptions of disability and the nature of consent.
Through exclusive footage and interviews with those on both sides of the case, this feature documentary weaves a riveting and endlessly nuanced story about communication, race, and sex.
The Sky Original film is directed by Nick August-Perna and produced by Tamara Rosenberg.
Louis Theroux and Arron Fellows are the executive producers and Leroy F Moore Jr. is consultant producer.
Secret World of Sound with David Attenborough
Available to watch in Spring 2024
David Attenborough explores the extraordinary ways that animals hear and produce sound, and the crucial role sound plays in the lives of animals around the globe – from birth to surviving adulthood and finding a mate.
Using cutting-edge recording technology and 360-degree Dolby Atmos soundscapes, this immersive, ground-breaking series places sound centre stage for the first time.
We witness how baby caiman communicate with each other from within the egg, how lions and hyaenas battle in the dark using sound, how a strange fish baffled local residents with its eerie hum, and how some birds have mastered the art of mimicry to remarkable effect.
Packed with wonder, insight and new scientific discoveries, Secret World of Sound with David Attenborough will transport viewers into an unforgettable experience.
Dickens in Italy/Dickens: Phantoms and Fictions
Available to watch in Christmas 2023
Actor and writer David Harewood fronts brand new, two-part series, Dickens in Italy with David Harewood, as he follows in the footsteps of one of the world’s most famous writers and his little-known journey through Italy’s most beautiful cities.
Reframing the idea that Dickens was a quintessentially English writer, David will uncover Italy’s influence on Dickens’ writing style, political beliefs and its personal impact as he traces the novelist’s Grand Tour through Venice, Naples, Genoa and Rome.
David Harewood commented: “Dickens has millions of avid readers, and his works remain enduringly popular the world over. His time in Italy is little-known and often disregarded, yet it was completely formative for him personally, politically and informed the writing style which captured so much attention. I’m looking forward to following his path and uncovering some new stories about the writer we all know so well.”
Also coming this Christmas, one-off documentary Dickens: Phantoms and Fictions explores the haunting world of Charles Dickens’ supernatural tales, delving into his eerie and atmospheric worlds through actor readings and archive footage, and exploring the popularity of ghost stories during the Victorian era.
Battle of the Bagpipes
Coming in 2024
Coming to Sky Arts next year, three-part documentary series Battle of the Bagpipes will lift the lid on piping traditions, culture, and its star players as they all compete for the ultimate piping prize.
Following military and civilian pipe bands all striving to be the best of the best, this new series proves that piping is not for the faint-hearted.
Viewers will uncover the fiercely competitive audition process for the Lone Piper at the Royal Military Tattoo and follow new recruits taking part in their first piping competition in the hope to be selected for a once-in-a-lifetime piping opportunity to perform for the King.
Meanwhile, long-time rival pipe bands go head-to-head at the fiercest competition in the piping world: Glasgow’s World Pipe Band Championships.
Save our Wildlife
Hitting screens on 9th October 2023
Eight-year-old conservationist Aneeshwar is demanding action to save our planet. Not just for humans, but also for the wildlife that lives alongside us. In our latest climate change documentary, Aneeshwar and five friends from around the world will focus on the threats facing six iconic species.
From walruses to Bengal tigers, green sea turtles to majestic Monarch butterflies – we’ll find out why the populations are in decline and what can be done to try and save them.
These are animals that could become extinct over the next fifty years unless the world leaders gathering at COP28 in Dubai take immediate action to tackle the climate emergency.