{"id":230576,"date":"2025-10-21T18:51:10","date_gmt":"2025-10-21T18:51:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/230576\/"},"modified":"2025-10-21T18:51:10","modified_gmt":"2025-10-21T18:51:10","slug":"motherland-spinoff-confirms-exciting-bbc-return-news-with-guest-stars-including-jennifer-saunders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/230576\/","title":{"rendered":"Motherland spinoff confirms exciting BBC return news \u2013 with guest stars including Jennifer Saunders"},"content":{"rendered":"

Amandaland fans have a lot to celebrate \u2013 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.<\/p>\n

But if that’s too long to wait, there is also a Christmas special<\/a> coming soon with a very special guest star. <\/p>\n

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. <\/p>\n

What to Read Next<\/p>\n

Aunt Joan is described as completely different from her sister, she’s a ball of country-living, enthusiastic upper-class bluster.<\/p>\n

Jennifer said: “I am delighted to be joining the fabulous Amandaland gang for a Christmas special. Playing Joanna\u2019s on-screen sister is guaranteed to be a laugh, who doesn\u2019t love a family reunion SoHa style!”<\/p>\n

\"lucy<\/p>\n

BBC<\/p>\n

Related: Best streaming services<\/a><\/p>\n

Lucy Punch, who plays Amanda said: “I\u2019m 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 \u2013 it\u2019s like totes fire, with all the festive feels, for reals. Slay bells!”<\/p>\n

The show was created by Holly Walsh who co-writes it alongside Horrible Histories and Ghosts star Laurence Rickard. <\/p>\n

Speaking of the news of a second series, they said: “It\u2019s an absolute joy to be back in SoHa (South Harlesden) again. After six months of researching Brent Council\u2019s fly tipping rules, attempting Anne\u2019s Irish accent and writing the odd bit of script, we\u2019re so excited to get filming with our amazing cast. <\/p>\n

\"lucy<\/p>\n

BBC<\/p>\n

“We’re thrilled to bits to have a Christmas special and Jennifer Saunders is the perfect addition to the gang.”<\/p>\n

The Motherland<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

Dates for the new series are yet to be announced, so keep your eyes peeled.<\/p>\n

Amandaland airs on BBC One and streams on BBC iPlayer.
<\/p>\n

The new edition of Living Legends is here! Buy Ariana & Witches in newsagents or online<\/a>, priced at just \u00a38.99.
<\/p>\n

\"Lettermark\"<\/p>\n

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\u2019s Drag Race<\/a> stars, and getting her own drag makeover for Channel 4’s show Drag SOS. \u00a0LinkedIn<\/a>
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