Amandaland fans have a lot to celebrate – the BBC comedy is getting a second series. We’ll be back to see the life of Amanda, her mother Felicity and long-suffering best friend Anne, in a new series set to air in 2026.
But if that’s too long to wait, there is also a Christmas special coming soon with a very special guest star.
The episode will feature none other than Jennifer Saunders, who is playing Amanda’s Aunt Joan, the sister of Felicity played by Joanna Lumley. It will make the first scripted reunion between Jennifer and Joanna since they played iconic duo Patsy and Edina in Absolutely Fabulous.
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Aunt Joan is described as completely different from her sister, she’s a ball of country-living, enthusiastic upper-class bluster.
Jennifer said: “I am delighted to be joining the fabulous Amandaland gang for a Christmas special. Playing Joanna’s on-screen sister is guaranteed to be a laugh, who doesn’t love a family reunion SoHa style!”
BBC
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Lucy Punch, who plays Amanda said: “I’m beyond excited to get started on Amandaland series two with our brilliantly talented lovely cast. The Christmas special is going to be an absolute cracker – it’s like totes fire, with all the festive feels, for reals. Slay bells!”
The show was created by Holly Walsh who co-writes it alongside Horrible Histories and Ghosts star Laurence Rickard.
Speaking of the news of a second series, they said: “It’s an absolute joy to be back in SoHa (South Harlesden) again. After six months of researching Brent Council’s fly tipping rules, attempting Anne’s Irish accent and writing the odd bit of script, we’re so excited to get filming with our amazing cast.
BBC
“We’re thrilled to bits to have a Christmas special and Jennifer Saunders is the perfect addition to the gang.”
The Motherland spin-off proved to be a big hit for the BBC, with the first episode bringing in over 7 million viewers. It was popular with a younger audience, drawing 1 million 16-34s to date, the biggest new BBC comedy audience in this demographic since The Cleaner in 2021.
Dates for the new series are yet to be announced, so keep your eyes peeled.
Amandaland airs on BBC One and streams on BBC iPlayer.
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Catherine is an Evening News Editor at Digital Spy, and was the site’s News Editor between 2018 and 2024. Prior to that, she worked at OK! Online, and has interviewed a slew of celebrities across her career in entertainment news, including Tom Hanks, Cheryl and Noel Fielding. Catherine also has specialist knowledge in all things drag, interviewing a huge portion of RuPaul’s Drag Race stars, and getting her own drag makeover for Channel 4’s show Drag SOS. LinkedIn