Gemma Arterton looks straight out of the Sixties for a new show based on Nick Hornby’s Funny Girl

Robert Hundley

Gemma Arterton looked every inch the Sixties beauty queen on the set of her new Sky Original show on Thursday.

The new beehive hair clad and former Bond Girl, 35, donned the iconic sixties coiffure while filming nightclub scenes at an old bank vault in Liverpool, for the adaptation of Nick Hornby’s best-selling novel Funny Girl.

The actress, who plays charismatic Barbara Parker aka Miss Blackpool in the currently unnamed series, was seen making her way to a vintage-style car while surrounded by her co-stars and crew on set, dressed in in a chic white coat and silk frock.

Latest role: Gemma Arterton (pictured) transformed into a Sixties beauty queen with a beehive hairstyle in nightclub scenes in Liverpool on Thursday - as she plays 'Miss Blackpool' for new show based on Nick Hornby's Funny Girl

Latest role: Gemma Arterton (pictured) transformed into a Sixties beauty queen with a beehive hairstyle in nightclub scenes in Liverpool on Thursday – as she plays ‘Miss Blackpool’ for new show based on Nick Hornby’s Funny Girl

Gemma’s makeup was reminiscent of the Sixties and much heavier than her usual look, consisting of a statement eyeshadow, kohl eyeliner and a bold lipstick.  

Her co-stars and extras in the series were seen making their way to the set, protecting their voluminous hairstyles with nets amid the wet and gloomy weather.  

Joining Gemma in the Blackpool-based miniseries will be Rupert Everett as Barbara’s agent Brian Debehnam, David Threlfall as her father George, and Tom Bateman as dangerously charming actor Clive. 

Sixties siren: The former Bond girl, 35, donned a blonde beehive hairstyle that became an iconic look of the 1960s, while filming nightclub scenes at an old bank vault

Back in the Sixties: Dressed in a chic white coat and silk frock, the actress who plays charismatic Barbara Parker who holds the title of Miss Blackpool in the series - was seen making her way to a vintage-style car while surrounded by her co-stars and crew on the set

Sixties siren: The former Bond girl, 35, donned a blonde beehive hairstyle that became an iconic look of the 1960s, while filming nightclub scenes at an old bank vault 

In character: Gemma's makeup was reminiscent of the Sixties and much heavier than her usual look, consisting of a statement eyeshadow, kohl eyeliner and a bold lipstick

In character: Gemma’s makeup was reminiscent of the Sixties and much heavier than her usual look, consisting of a statement eyeshadow, kohl eyeliner and a bold lipstick 

Fans will have to wait until next year to witness the spectacle where Barbara finds her comic voice in a male dominated world. Having upped-sticks in order to call London her home, the leading lady is offered a part in a ground-breaking new sitcom which will have an impact on British comedy for decades to come.

Gemma said: ‘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.’ 

Also joining the cast is Emily Bevans, Leo Bill and Matthew Beard, alongside previously announced Clare-Hope Ashitey, Arsher Ali and Alexa Davies. 

Cast: Joining Gemma in the Blackpool-based miniseries will be Rupert Everett as Barbara's agent Brian Debehnam, David Threlfall as her father George, and Tom Bateman as dangerously charming actor Clive

Cast: Joining Gemma in the Blackpool-based miniseries will be Rupert Everett as Barbara’s agent Brian Debehnam, David Threlfall as her father George, and Tom Bateman as dangerously charming actor Clive 

Making history: Having upped-sticks in order to call London her home, Barbara is offered a part in a ground-breaking new sitcom which will have an impact on British comedy for decades to come

Making history: Having upped-sticks in order to call London her home, Barbara is offered a part in a ground-breaking new sitcom which will have an impact on British comedy for decades to come 

Show-stopping: Earlier shots from the comedy series show the talented actress in-character as Barbara Parker, a charismatic young woman who holds the title of Miss Blackpool

Gorgeous: The BAFTA nominee's latest look is worlds away from her typical brunette beauty façade (pictured in 2020)

Gorgeous: Gemma’s latest look is worlds away from her typical brunette beauty façade as, in true Swingin’ Sixties style, the St. Trinian’s star wears her luscious locks in an iconic beehive (pictured in character, left, and in 2019, right) 

While Gemma, who played Strawberry Fields in 2008’s Quantum of Solace, is certainly excited about playing Barbara, last year she said of her Bond role that she would not pick a similar role for herself anymore.

The actress, from Kent, who had her big break when she was 21 with the Bond movie starring Daniel Craig, said her character didn’t have much to do in the movie.

Speaking to The Telegraph, Gemma, who has started her own production company, Rebel Park, which aims to involve women in all aspects of film making, said: ‘I know I wouldn’t choose a role like that now. Because she was funny and she was sweet, but she didn’t really have anything to do – or a backstory.’

Wet conditions: Gemma's co-stars and extras in the series were seen making their way to the set, protecting their voluminous hairstyles with nets amid the wet and gloomy weather

Wet conditions: Gemma’s co-stars and extras in the series were seen making their way to the set, protecting their voluminous hairstyles with nets amid the wet and gloomy weather 

Gemma said of the role: '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'

Gemma said of the role: ‘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’ 

Notable names: Also joining the cast is Emily Bevans, Leo Bill and Matthew Beard, alongside previously announced Clare-Hope Ashitey, Arsher Ali and Alexa Davies

Notable names: Also joining the cast is Emily Bevans, Leo Bill and Matthew Beard, alongside previously announced Clare-Hope Ashitey, Arsher Ali and Alexa Davies 

Candid comments: While Gemma, who played Strawberry Fields in 2008's Quantum of Solace, is certainly excited about playing Barbara, last year she said of her Bond role that she would not pick a similar role for herself anymore

Candid comments: While Gemma, who played Strawberry Fields in 2008’s Quantum of Solace, is certainly excited about playing Barbara, last year she said of her Bond role that she would not pick a similar role for herself anymore 

Despite that, Gemma says she’s still grateful to Quantum’s producer Barbara Broccoli and for the doors the Bond franchise has since opened for her. 

In the 2008 movie, Strawberry Fields was an intelligence operative working at the British Consulate in Bolivia, charged with sending Bond back to London.

She was the second Bond Girl in the movie after Olga Kurylenko’s Camille Montes and became a romantic interest for Bond shortly after being introduced.

Making it in Hollywood: The actress, from Kent, who had her big break when she was 21 with the Bond movie starring Daniel Craig, said her character didn't have much to do in the movie

Making it in Hollywood: The actress, from Kent, who had her big break when she was 21 with the Bond movie starring Daniel Craig, said her character didn’t have much to do in the movie

No backstory: Speaking to The Telegraph, Gemma said: 'I know I wouldn’t choose a role like that now. Because she was funny and she was sweet, but she didn’t really have anything to do – or a backstory'

On set: Crew are seen exiting the old bank vault used for the nightclub scenes

No backstory: Speaking to The Telegraph, Gemma said: ‘I know I wouldn’t choose a role like that now. Because she was funny and she was sweet, but she didn’t really have anything to do – or a backstory’. Pictured right are crew leaving the bank vault used for the nightclub scenes

Appreciative: Despite that, Gemma says she's still grateful to Quantum's producer Barbara Broccoli and for the doors the Bond franchise has since opened for her

Appreciative: Despite that, Gemma says she’s still grateful to Quantum’s producer Barbara Broccoli and for the doors the Bond franchise has since opened for her

Speaking of how her career has evolved since her Bond days, Gemma says she now feels more confident – and would happily challenge any uncomfortable on-set requests.

She gave the specific example of unplanned intimate scenes that may not have been in a script. She said: ‘You’re thinking: “Hang on, that’s not in the script, and you haven’t even spoken to me about that”…

‘And at that point you’re in front of all the crew and under pressure, when you should have dialogue way before that where you get asked: “Are you cool with this”,’ she went on.

Greater confidence: Speaking of how her career has evolved since her Bond days, Gemma says she now feels more confident - and would happily challenge any uncomfortable on-set requests

Greater confidence: Speaking of how her career has evolved since her Bond days, Gemma says she now feels more confident – and would happily challenge any uncomfortable on-set requests 

Put on the spot: She gave the specific example of unplanned intimate scenes that may not have been in a script. She said: 'You’re thinking: “Hang on, that’s not in the script, and you haven’t even spoken to me about that”...

Put on the spot: She gave the specific example of unplanned intimate scenes that may not have been in a script. She said: ‘You’re thinking: “Hang on, that’s not in the script, and you haven’t even spoken to me about that”…

She went on: ‘And at that point you’re in front of all the crew and under pressure, when you should have dialogue way before that where you get asked: “Are you cool with this”'

She went on: ‘And at that point you’re in front of all the crew and under pressure, when you should have dialogue way before that where you get asked: “Are you cool with this”’ 

She admitted she doesn’t mind if she seems ‘a bit difficult’ now that she has an established career, whereas a younger version of herself wouldn’t have wanted to ‘challenge’ it.

Gemma went on to say she didn’t experience sexism until she started working in the movie industry – adding that she’s been ‘a bit naive.’

The Sky Original comedy drama will be available on Sky Max and streaming service NOW in 2022. 

Stance: Gemma admitted she doesn't mind if she seems 'a bit difficult' now that she has an established career, whereas a younger version of herself wouldn't have wanted to 'challenge' it

Stance: Gemma admitted she doesn’t mind if she seems ‘a bit difficult’ now that she has an established career, whereas a younger version of herself wouldn’t have wanted to ‘challenge’ it 

Upon reflection: Gemma went on to say she didn't experience sexism until she started working in the movie industry - adding that she's been 'a bit naive'

Upon reflection: Gemma went on to say she didn’t experience sexism until she started working in the movie industry – adding that she’s been ‘a bit naive’ 

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