A festive special of the Motherland spin-off is on its way

Amandaland is getting its very own Christmas special, and its biggest gift to viewers will be the reunion of two Absolutely Fabulous legends.

BBC One has confirmed that Lucy Punch will return as the love-to-hate central character in the Motherland spin-off. And she’ll be back with the brilliant cast of characters from series 1.

Of course, fans will know that Joanna Lumley plays Amanda’s equally-as-unbearable mother Felicity. And, this time, there’ll be a new family member joining the clan, too…

She’ll be played by none other than Jennifer Saunders. Here’s everything we know so far about the Christmas special of Amandaland.
The cast of Amandaland will get an extra special boost this Christmas [Credit: BBC]

Is there a Christmas special of Amandaland?

Amandaland will be back later this year for a Christmas special. The news comes as filming begins for the second series of the hit comedy.

Lucy Punch, who plays Amanda, 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!”

Co-writer and creator Holly Walsh and co-writer Laurence Rickard added: “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.

“We’re thrilled to bits to have a Christmas special and Jennifer Saunders is the perfect addition to the gang.”

Jennifer Saunders joins the cast of Amandaland

Alongside the returning cast, the Christmas special welcomes the absolutely fabulous Jennifer Saunders. She’ll play Aunt Joan, Felicity’s sister. The Beeb describe Aunt Joan a “ball of country-living, enthusiastic upper-class bluster”. So very, very different from Felicity then!

This very special episode will be the first scripted on-screen reunion for Jennifer and Joanna since Absolutely Fabulous. And they are playing sisters!

Jennifer Saunders, who plays Joan in the festive episode, 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!”

Of course, Ab Fab fans will know that Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley played very fashionable drunks Edina and Patsy in the TV series between 1992 and 2012. They were last seen together as their characters in the 2016 Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie.
Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley in Absolutely Fabulous [Credit: BBC One]

When is series 2 arriving?

The second series of the hit BBC comedy Amandaland is returning to iPlayer and BBC One in 2026.

Brilliantly comic actresses Lucy Punch, Joanna Lumley and Philippa Dunne will all return, alongside the cast of names from series 1.

It’s no surprise at all that Amandaland was recommissioned. Series one averaged 5.7 million viewers to date, with episode 1 attracting 7.4 million. This made it the BBC’s second biggest new comedy launch in recent years, behind Ludwig.

Lucy Punch, who plays Amanda, said: “I’m beyond excited to get started on Amandaland series 2 with our brilliantly talented lovely cast.”

Broadcast details about series 2 will be confirmed in due course, but it will be 2026.