THE future of BBC comedy Amandaland has been confirmed before series one has even finished.
Lucy Punch reprises her role as Amanda Hughes in the Motherland spin-off.
The fate of BBC comedy Amandaland has been revealed[/caption]
Lucy Punch reprises her role from hit series Motherland[/caption]
Philippa Dunne and Joanna Lumley also return[/caption]
Following a successful launch, the BBC have confirmed Amandaland will return for a second series.
In the spin-off, Amanda has downsized and moved to South Harlesden post-divorce.
With children Manus and Georgie in secondary school, she’s had to wrap her head around raising modern teenagers.
For example, facing the likes of teenage drinking, fake Instagram accounts and eco anxiety.
Also on the journey was Amanda’s mother Felicity (Joanna Lumley), who was in denial about her own loneliness.
Motherland favourite Anne (Philippa Dunne) also returned for the new iteration.
Despite being briefly out of Amanda’s grasp, she is sucked back in to help her navigate the secondary school parents’ social scene.
New characters include Amanda’s long-suffering downstairs neighbour Mal (Samuel Anderson) and JJ (Ekow Quartey), the stepfather to Mal’s son Ned.
Also introduced are power couple Della and Fi (Siobhán McSweeney and Rochenda Sandall).
Viewers have also seen smooth-talking South African
property developer Johannes (Peter Serafinowicz).
Holly Wash, the show’s co-creator and co-writer, said: “We’ve been bowled over by the response to Amandaland and can’t wait to get co-labbing on the next series.”
Co-creator Sharon Horgan remarked: “With any new show you put out there, your main hope is to make something you love and are proud of.
“The extra bonus is that it’s a critical hit. But to have a loyal audience of this size is just beyond your hopes and expectations.
“The incredible cast and writers, director and production team worked so hard on this show and it’s wonderful to see that hard work pay off.
Best BBC comedies
We look back at some of the best to ever grace the screen.
Fawlty Towers (1975-1979) – Only two series were made of the beloved institution. However, the cultural impact of the series starring John Cleese and Connie Booth spans decades. It follows rude and intolerant Basil Fawlty (Cleese) as he attempts to improve the reputation of his hotel.
Only Fools and Horses (1981-2003) – The show was crowned by some as the best British sitcom of all time by a TV poll in 2004. Seven series were broadcast on BBC until 1991 with additional sporadic Christmas specials airing until 2003. Sir David Jason starred as ambitious market trader Derek “Del Boy” Trotter whilst Nicholas Lyndhurst played his younger half-brother Rodney. Set in working-class Peckham in south-east London, it follows the highs and lows of the lives of the Trotters’, in particular their brazen attempts to get rich.
Blackadder (1983 – 1989) – Four series were made of the iconic show, created by Richard Curtis and Rowan Atkinson. Each series spans a different historical period as anti-hero Edmund Blackadder (Atkinson) tries to better himself in each society. Accompanied by his dogsbody Baldrick (Tony Robinson), trouble always ensues. A TV poll in 2004 found that Blackadder was voted the second-best British sitcom of all time
Absolutely Fabulous (1992 – 2012) – Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley star as failing PR guru Edina ‘Eddie’ Monsoon and alcoholic fashionista Patsy Stone. The pair embark on heavy-drinking sessions and abuse drugs in a desperate attempt to stay ‘hip’. Eddie constantly chases bizarre fads and fails to lose weight whilst her disappointed and neglected daughter Saffy (Julia Sawalha) looks on.
Little Britain (2003 – 2006) – The premise is simple. A sketch show which features different British people from all walks of life that are engaged in all sorts of comical scenarios. Starring Matt Lucas and David Walliams, the pair created iconic pop culture characters. Viewers loved obnoxious council estate teenager Vicky Pollard, morbidly obese scrounger Bubbles Devere, slimming coach Marjorie Dawes, despondent office worker Carol Beer, disgraced politician Sir Norman Fry, of course the iconic Lou and Andy!
The Catherine Tate Show (2004-2015) – A sketch show starring the likes of Catherine Tate. She made iconic characters such as rowdy schoolgirl Lauren Cooper with her line ‘Am I bovvered?’. Other characters featured Bernie the nurse, the aga saga woman, complaining couple Janice and Ray, and of course her infamous ‘Nan’, Joannie Taylor. The last character herself spawned multiple specials and even a movie.
Gavin and Stacey (2007 – Present) The series tells the story of Gavin (Matthew Horne) and Stacey (Joanna Page). The pair embarked on an online and telephone romance for six months. But when they finally decide to be together properly, their friends and family get in the way. Ruth Jones and James Corden created the beloved show, which has been going for over a decade. The 2019 Christmas special was the most-watched comedy in 17 years and the most-viewed non-sporting event in a decade.
“Special thanks to Lucy for being the most extraordinary front woman and to the BBC for having such faith in the idea of Amandaland from the off.”
Tanya Qureshi, the BBC‘s Head of Comedy, added: “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.”
Amandaland airs on BBC One and iPlayer.
The series launched its first series in February[/caption]
