Paul GlynnCulture reporter
BBCJennifer Saunders will play the sister of her Absolutely Fabulous co-star Dame Joanna Lumley in the Christmas special of sitcom Amandaland, the BBC has announced.
Saunders will appear as Joan, the sister of Dame Joanna’s character Felicity and auntie of the show’s titular star Amanda, played by Lucy Punch.
Her new character is humorously described as “a ball of country-living, enthusiastic upper-class bluster – very, very different from Felicity”.
Saunders said in a statement she was “delighted to be joining the fabulous Amandaland gang for a Christmas special”.
“Playing Joanna’s on-screen sister is guaranteed to be a laugh,” she added. “Who doesn’t love a family reunion SoHa style!”
Amandaland follows middle class Amanda and her two children as they adapt to life in South Harlesden – which she refers to, pretentiously, as “SoHa” – having been forced to leave Chiswick following her divorce.
Saunders will feature in the festive episode before a second series of the show airs in 2026, the BBC confirmed.
Amandaland is a spin-off of Motherland, a comedy about motherhood starring Anna Maxwell Martin, which aired between 2016 and 2022.
Star of the show Punch said: “I’m beyond excited to get started on Amandaland series two with our brilliantly talented, lovely cast.”
She added, in character: “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 first series of Amandaland, broadcast earlier this year, received rave reviews from critics.
Fabulous addition
Saunders and Dame Joanna both won Baftas for their portrayals of PR boss Edina and retired model Patsy, respectively, in the popular 1990s British sitcom Absolutely Fabulous – aka Ab Fab.
Across a handful of series and a well received feature length movie in 2016, the heavy-drinking, chain-smoking pair attempted to relive their youth – in swinging 1960s London – over and over again, often with funny and cringe-worthy consequences.
The show initially aired from 1992 to 2005, before a 20th anniversary special miniseries in 2012.
They reunited last year, alongside fellow actresses Julia Sawalha and Jane Horrocks, for a one-off special on UK TV station Gold titled Absolutely Fabulous: Inside Out.
