Amandaland returns for its festive offering with a 30-minute Christmas special that brings the beloved BBC comedy to Aunt Joan’s country house for a holiday adventure. As Amanda (Lucy Punch) attempts to recreate the magical Christmases of her childhood, her plans unravel when unexpected guests arrive and a mysterious hidden photograph threatens to expose a deep family secret.
This Christmas special represents a significant moment for the critically acclaimed comedy series, which has become the BBC’s second-largest new comedy launch in recent years with a premiere drawing 7.4 million viewers. The special marks the first scripted reunion on screen for Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley since their iconic tenure on Absolutely Fabulous (1992-2012), the groundbreaking comedy that launched their international careers.
Plot Summary: Christmas Dreams and Hidden Secrets
The Christmas special follows Amanda and her immediate family—including her daughter Georgie and son Manus—as they head to the country home of Aunt Joan for what should be an idyllic festive break.
Amanda harbors specific nostalgic intentions for this Christmas. She’s determined to “recreate the magical Christmases she spent there as a child,” suggesting the country house holds cherished childhood memories associated with tradition, family warmth, and holiday contentment. For many viewers, this will resonate—the desire to recreate the magical Christmases of one’s youth is a universal festive experience.
However, her carefully laid plans face immediate disruption when Mal and Anne unexpectedly tag along to the country house. Their presence prevents Amanda from achieving the nostalgic recreation she envisioned, forcing her to adapt and improvise her Christmas vision while managing unexpected family dynamics.
Simultaneously, multiple crisis points emerge:
Anne’s Despair at Family Separation: Anne (Philippa Dunne) finds herself “in despair at being separated from her family,” suggesting a poignant subplot where her typical maternal anxieties reach a crescendo during what should be a joyful holiday period. This thematic element adds emotional depth beyond pure comedy, exploring the complex feelings many parents experience when spending Christmas away from their extended family or when circumstances force separation from loved ones.
Felicity’s Growing Irritation: Felicity (Joanna Lumley), Amanda’s acerbic mother, becomes “increasingly irritated by her sister’s constant high spirits,” indicating tension between Felicity and Aunt Joan. This dynamic promises comedic fireworks as the legendary Joanna Lumley clashes with Jennifer Saunders’ character—a reunion that carries cultural weight given their iconic partnership on Absolutely Fabulous.
Mal’s Discovery of Hidden Secrets: Most mysteriously, Mal (a character from series one) “sees a hidden photo that seems to reveal a deep family secret.” This plot point introduces dramatic intrigue beyond the typical Christmas comedy fare. The hidden photograph becomes the catalyst for emotional revelation, raising questions: What secret is being concealed? How does it relate to Amanda’s family history? Will the revelation transform family relationships?
The Returning Cast: Comedy Icons Return for Festive Drama
Lucy Punch (Amanda) – Born December 30, 1977, in London, Lucy Punch is a versatile actress known for her comedic timing and ability to portray complex characters with both humor and vulnerability.
Her early career included a memorable role in Let Them Eat Cake (1999), a short-lived sitcom featuring Jennifer Saunders and Dawn French—a project that would later connect her to both actresses in Amandaland. Following steady television work in Britain, Punch relocated to the United States in the mid-2000s and has since appeared in numerous acclaimed films including Hot Fuzz (2007) opposite Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, Dinner for Schmucks (2010) alongside Steve Carell and Paul Rudd, You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger (2010) directed by Woody Allen, and Into the Woods (2014).
In Amandaland, Punch’s Amanda serves as the comedic center—a divorced mother navigating secondary school parenting, attempting to build a lifestyle influencer brand, and managing complex family relationships. Her comedic performance earned her critical praise, with Lucy stating about the Christmas special: “I’m incredibly thrilled to embark on Amandaland’s second season with our wonderfully talented cast. The Christmas special is going to be a real treat—it’s absolutely on fire, filled with festive spirit. Slay bells!”
Joanna Lumley (Felicity) – Dame Joanna Lamond Lumley, born May 1, 1946, is a British institution. The 79-year-old actress first gained prominence with her role as “Purdey” in The New Avengers (1976-1977) and later starred in the sci-fi adventure series Sapphire & Steel (1979-1982).
However, Lumley achieved international iconic status through her portrayal of Patsy Stone in Absolutely Fabulous (1992-2012), the boundary-pushing BBC comedy created by Jennifer Saunders. Lumley won two BAFTA TV Awards for her role as the outrageous, champagne-swigging fashion magazine editor, becoming a global celebrity. She was nominated for a 2011 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for the Broadway revival of La Bête and received a BAFTA Fellowship Award in 2017.
In Amandaland, Lumley reprises her role as Felicity, Amanda’s acerbic and sharp-tongued mother—a character that carries echoes of her legendary Patsy Stone persona but in a different generational context.
Jennifer Saunders (Aunt Joan) – Jennifer Saunders, born July 26, 1957, is a legendary British comedian, writer, actress, and producer who co-founded the comedy partnership French and Saunders with Dawn French (1987-2007).
Saunders achieved worldwide acclaim as the creator and star of Absolutely Fabulous, where she portrayed Edina Monsoon, the irresponsible fashion PR agent who became a cultural phenomenon. The show ran for five full series, two telemovies, three special episodes, and a feature film spanning 24 years (1992-2016).
Saunders and French jointly received a BAFTA Fellowship in 2009 for their collaborative work. In Amandaland, Saunders joins as Aunt Joan, bringing her comedic credibility and star power to a character described as embodying “the essence of country living with her vibrant upper-class charm, presenting a stark contrast to Felicity’s character.”
The reunion between Saunders and Lumley marks their first scripted appearance together since Absolutely Fabulous ended, making it a genuinely significant television moment for British comedy fans.
Philippa Dunne (Anne) – Dunne continues her role as Anne Flynn, the perpetually anxious Irish mother character from Motherland and series one of Amandaland. Her character’s despair at family separation promises emotional authenticity alongside the comedy.
Production Details: Merman Television and BBC Collaboration
Amandaland is produced by Merman Television, the production company co-founded by Sharon Horgan, known for acclaimed dramas including Bad Sisters (2022-present) and the comedy series Pulling (2006-2009) and Catastrophe (2015-2019).
Sharon Horgan, born July 13, 1970, is an Irish actress, writer, director, and producer who has won numerous accolades including a BAFTA TV Award (2016) for Best Comedy Writer for Catastrophe (with Rob Delaney), two Primetime Emmy nominations for Bad Sisters (2023), and a BAFTA TV Award (2023) for Best Drama Series for Bad Sisters.
The Christmas special is written by Holly Walsh and Laurence Rickard, with Walsh serving as co-creator and co-writer of Amandaland alongside Sharon Horgan and Helen Serafinowicz. Rickard is known for his work on comedy programs including hosting Yonderland and writing for The Thick of It.
The series is produced by Arnold Widdowson, with Tanya Qureshi serving as the BBC Commissioning Editor (also credited as Executive Producer for the BBC). Lionsgate distributes the series worldwide, reflecting its international appeal.
The Show’s Evolution: From Motherland to Amandaland
Motherland, which ran for three seasons plus two Christmas specials (2016-2022), was a critically acclaimed BBC comedy exploring middle-class motherhood in West London. Created by Sharon Horgan, Holly Walsh, Helen Serafinowicz, and Graham Linehan, Motherland followed protagonist Julia Johnstone (Anna Maxwell Martin) as she navigated parenting, friendship, and work-life balance alongside her friends Liz (Diane Morgan), Kevin (Paul Ready), and Amanda (Lucy Punch).
When Motherland concluded, Amanda’s character—initially portrayed as the self-centered “Alpha Mum”—had undergone significant character development. The decision to create a spin-off centered on Amanda’s post-divorce life reflected both Lucy Punch’s audience popularity and the richness of the character’s potential narrative territory.
Amandaland (2025) represents this spin-off success. Set in South Harlesden (colloquially “SoHa”), the series follows Amanda after she has downsized and moved with her children following her divorce. The series introduced new characters while maintaining connections to the Motherland universe through Philippa Dunne’s Anne and Joanna Lumley’s Felicity (who appeared as a guest character in Motherland’s 2022 Christmas special).
Viewership Success: A Breakout Comedy Hit
Amandaland series one has proven to be a massive commercial and critical success. The premiere episode drew an impressive 7.4 million viewers, positioning it as the BBC’s second-largest new comedy launch in recent years, trailing only Ludwig (11.4 million viewers in 2023).
Overall, series one averaged 5.7-6.4 million viewers per episode, indicating strong and consistent audience engagement throughout the season. More significantly, the show has attracted a notably younger demographic than many BBC comedies: 1 million viewers aged 16-34, making it the largest new BBC comedy audience within this age group since The Cleaner aired in 2021.
This viewership composition suggests Amandaland has successfully bridged generational appeal—attracting legacy viewers who remember Lumley and Saunders from Absolutely Fabulous while simultaneously engaging younger audiences discovering the comedy format for the first time.
The Broader Context: Comedy in 2025 and Beyond
The renewal of Amandaland for a second series was announced in March 2025, even before series one completed its broadcast run. This decision reflects genuine BBC confidence in the show’s staying power and commercial viability.
Creator Holly Walsh expressed enthusiasm about the renewal: “We’ve been bowled over by the response to Amandaland and can’t wait to get co-labbing on the next series.” She additionally noted that the writing process for series two involved extensive research, including studying “Brent Council’s fly-tipping regulations” and “honing Anne’s Irish accent”—details that underscore the show’s commitment to authentic, specific comedy writing rather than generic sitcom material.
Tanya Qureshi, head of comedy at the BBC, emphasized the show’s universal appeal: “We always had high hopes for Amandaland, but it’s been amazing to see how much viewers have embraced not just the returning characters, but the brilliant new additions too. We’re so thrilled to reunite with this talented team for another instalment of Amanda’s new life in SoHa.”
When and Where to Watch
The Amandaland Christmas Special will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer during the 2025 festive season, with the exact broadcast date to be confirmed by BBC scheduling.
Series two will premiere on BBC iPlayer and BBC One in 2026, following the completion of the Christmas special production and post-production phase.
The special will remain available on BBC iPlayer for on-demand streaming following its initial broadcast, allowing viewers to watch at their convenience. International viewers can access the series through BritBox and Lionsgate’s global distribution partnerships.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Amandaland Christmas special air?
The exact broadcast date will be announced by the BBC closer to Christmas 2025. It will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
How long is the Christmas special?
The special is 30 minutes long, consistent with standard BBC sitcom format.
What is the plot of the special?
Amanda attempts to recreate magical childhood Christmases at Aunt Joan’s country house, but plans change when Mal and Anne arrive unexpectedly. Meanwhile, Mal discovers a hidden photo revealing a deep family secret.
Will Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley actually work together?
Yes, the Christmas special marks their first scripted reunion since Absolutely Fabulous, with Saunders playing Aunt Joan and Lumley continuing as Felicity.
Is this the only Christmas special?
This is the first Christmas special for Amandaland. More specials or series have not been officially announced beyond series two (2026).
Will Philippa Dunne appear?
Yes, Philippa Dunne continues her role as Anne, who is “in despair at being separated from her family.”
What is Aunt Joan’s character like?
Aunt Joan is described as embodying “the essence of country living with her vibrant upper-class charm, presenting a stark contrast to Felicity’s character.”
What family secret is revealed?
The specific nature of the hidden photo’s secret has not been disclosed in advance, maintaining the surprise for viewers.
Is series two still happening?
Yes, series two has been commissioned and will premiere on BBC iPlayer and BBC One in 2026.
Can I watch series one before the special?
Yes, all episodes of series one are available on BBC iPlayer
