For Editorial Use Mandatory Credit: Photo by David Appleby/THA/REX/Shutterstock (15043586r) Jennifer Saunders as
Joanna Lumley and Jennifer Saunders are reuniting in an upcoming Christmas special(Picture: David Appleby/THA/REX/Shutterstock)

It’s an Absolutely Fabulous Christmas for comedy fans — Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley are officially reuniting on screen for the first time in nearly a decade.

The BBC has confirmed that Amandaland, the Motherland spin-off starring Lucy Punch and Philippa Dunne, will return for a festive special.

Lumley will once again be joined by her longtime comedy partner, Jennifer Saunders, delighting fans.

Lumley, who plays the formidable Felicity in the sitcom, first hinted at the news on ‘The Chris Evans Breakfast Show’ earlier this month.

Now, the BBC has officially announced that the Christmas special is in production.

Saunders will be stepping into the role of Felicity’s sister, Aunt Joan, who is described as ‘a ball of country-living, enthusiastic upper-class bluster [and] very, very different from Felicity.’

For use in UK, Ireland or Benelux countries only BBC handout photo of Lucy Punch as Jennifer Saunders is to act opposite her Absolutely Fabulous co-star Dame Joanna Lumley in the Amandaland Christmas special, the BBC has announced. Actress and comedian Saunders, 67, will play Joan, sister to Dame Joanna's character Felicity and aunt of protagonist Amanda, played by Lucy Punch. Issue date: Tuesday October 21, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: BBC/Merman/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
Lucy Punch will be joining them (Picture: BBC/Merman/PA Wire)

Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie Melbourne Premiere - The Arrivals
The pair were last on-screen together 9 years ago (Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

The reunion marks the first time the duo have shared the screen since the 2016 Absolutely Fabulous movie, where they last embodied the iconic Edina and Patsy — the hard-drinking, fashion-obsessed best friends who defined a generation of British comedy.

‘I am delighted to be joining the fabulous Amandaland gang for a Christmas special,’ Saunders said. ‘Playing Joanna’s on-screen sister is guaranteed to be a laugh – who doesn’t love a family reunion SoHa style?’

Amandaland,05-02-2025,Amanda (LUCY PUNCH), Felicity (JOANNA LUMLEY),**EMBARGOED UNTIL TUESDAY 28TH JANUARY 2025**,Merman,Natalie Seery
The show has been a hit (Picture: BBC/Merman/Natalie Seery)

Writers Holly Walsh and Laurence Rickard described Saunders as ‘the perfect addition to the gang,’ while Lucy Punch promised fans a gloriously over-the-top festive treat.

She said: ‘The Christmas special is going to be an absolute cracker – it’s like totes fire, with all the festive feels, for reals. Slay bells!’

Between Lumley’s polished wit and Saunders’ razor-sharp timing, the Amandaland Christmas episode looks set to be one of the BBC’s must-watch festive highlights — and a long-awaited reunion of two comedy legends whose chemistry remains, well, absolutely fabulous.

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