Comedy royalty is back! The BBC has confirmed that Absolutely Fabulous stars Jennifer Saunders and Dame Joanna Lumley will reunite on screen this Christmas in a festive episode of Amandaland – and fans couldn’t be more delighted.
A sparkling Christmas reunion
The network revealed that Saunders will guest star as Joan, the sister of Lumley’s character Felicity, and the aunt of the show’s lead, Amanda, played by Motherland star Lucy Punch.
Her new character, the BBC teases, is “a ball of country-living, enthusiastic upper-class bluster – very, very different from Felicity.”
In a statement, Saunders shared her excitement about joining the show, saying:
“I’m 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?”
For fans of British comedy, this marks the first time Saunders and Lumley have performed together in a scripted production since the Absolutely Fabulous film in 2016 – nearly a decade ago.
From Motherland to Amandaland
Amandaland is a spin-off of the beloved BBC sitcom Motherland, which ran from 2016 to 2022. While Motherland focused on the chaos and camaraderie of motherhood, Amandaland shifts the spotlight to the posh and ever-self-assured Amanda, played by Punch.
The series follows Amanda, a middle-class single mum, who moves with her two children to South Harlesden – which she pretentiously rebrands as “SoHa” – after her divorce. Her mother Felicity (Lumley) is always nearby, adding a dash of elegance, mischief and maternal meddling to Amanda’s attempts at a new life.
The first season, which aired earlier this year, was met with rave reviews. The Telegraph newspaper praised Punch and Lumley as “a dream comic double act”, while The Guardian hailed the show’s “sharp wit and modern charm”.
The festive episode
Saunders will join the cast for the Christmas special, which will air this December, before production resumes on the second full series scheduled for release in 2026.
Series star Lucy Punch said she was thrilled to be back:
“I’m beyond excited to get started on Amandaland series two with our brilliantly talented, lovely cast.”
And in a wink to her character’s modern slang, she added:
“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 return of a Fabulous partnership
For many, seeing Saunders and Lumley share the screen again will be a nostalgic treat. The pair’s partnership dates back to the 1990s cult hit Absolutely Fabulous (or Ab Fab, as it’s affectionately known).
The series – which ran from 1992 to 2005, with later specials and a 2016 feature film – starred Saunders as chaotic PR guru Edina Monsoon and Lumley as her champagne-swilling best friend, retired model Patsy Stone. Their outrageous escapades, cutting wit and unshakeable friendship made them household names and earned both stars BAFTA awards.
In 2023, the duo reunited with fellow Ab Fab stars Julia Sawalha and Jane Horrocks for the nostalgic documentary Absolutely Fabulous: Inside Out, where they reminisced about their time on the iconic series and shared behind-the-scenes stories.
A gift for comedy fans
For Starts at 60 readers who grew up laughing at Edina and Patsy’s glamorous chaos, Amandaland’s Christmas special promises a perfect dose of festive fun and familiar chemistry – with a fresh twist.
Both Saunders and Lumley remain beloved figures of British entertainment, their careers spanning writing, comedy, theatre and activism. To see them reunited – even for a single Christmas episode – is sure to be one of the season’s highlights.
The Amandaland Christmas Special will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer this December, with a second series expected in 2026. Hopefully our ABC will also screen it.