Amandaland returning to BBC One for a Christmas special

And it'll reunite Joanna Lumley with Jennifer Saunders!

Ahead of an already announced second series, airing on BBC One in 2026, it has been confirmed today that hit comedy Amandaland will be returning this Christmas on BBC One, with Lucy Punch, Joanna Lumley and Philippa Dunne all returning.

And Joanna Lumley will be reunited with her Absolutely Fabulous co-star Jennifer Saunders, who joins the Christmas special as Aunt Joan, Felicity's sister. Aunt Joan is a ball of country-living, enthusiastic upper-class bluster and very, very different from Felicity.

On joining Amandaland, Jennifer Saunders, 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!"

To which Lucy Punch, who plays Amanda, added "I’m beyond excited to get started on Amandaland Series two with our brilliantly talented lovely cast. The Christmas special is going to be an absolute cracker – it’s like totes fire, with all the festive feels, for reals. Slay bells!”

Produced by Meman, the first series of Amandaland averaged 5.7 million viewers to date, with episode 1 attracting 7.4 million, making it the BBC’s second biggest new comedy launch in recent years, behind the first episode of Ludwig.

Amandaland was created by Sharon Horgan, Holly Walsh, Helen Serafinowicz and Barunka O'Shaughnessy. Series two will be written by Holly Walsh and Laurence Rickard and produced by Arnold Widdowson.

Ahead of the Amandaland Christmas speical, co-writer and creator Holly Walsh and co-writer Laurence Rickard said "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."

Amandaland will return this Christmas on BBC One