Amid the news that the BBC had cancelled its BAFTA-winning sitcom Motherland last year, the show’s loyal viewers – especially the London parents who saw their daily lives mirrored in the show’s three series – were left in a state of dismay. Where would they receive their fix of school-gate politics, nit epidemics and begrudging fundraiser participation now?
Just under a year later, the answer is the show’s new spin-off, Amandaland. With some returning favourites, new faces and a new (albeit, very nearby) neighbourhood setting, Amandaland is set to re-whet the appetites of those craving some good old West London mum drama.
Keep reading to learn what we can expect from the spin-off, who from Motherland is returning and how you can watch.
What is Amandaland about?
The spin-off’s focus is in its name: it will centre around the new life of Amanda, the self-obsessed leader of the original sitcom’s “Alpha Mums”. As Motherland neared its end, we saw the facade of Amanda’s seemingly perfect life crumble when her husband filed for divorce and she was forced out of her envy-inducing Acton home.
Set a few years after the end of Motherland, the show meets Amanda in a new stage of her life: she’s downsized, moved to South Harlesden and taken her now teenage children out of private school. As the BBC puts it, the series follows Amanda dealing with “modern motherhood horrors like teenage drinking, fake Instagram accounts and eco-anxiety.”
Who is returning for Amandaland?
Lucy Punch reprises her role as Amanda, while the spin-off also welcomes back Anne – Amanda’s downtrodden friend who more often than not acts as her assistant, played by Philippa Dunne.
Fans of Dame Joanna Lumley are in luck, as the industry veteran returns to her role as Amanda’s mum Felicity, who Lumley describes as “amused and amusing, with a little bit of cattiness towards her daughter”. Although she briefly appeared in the original series, Lumley admitted that she “hardly ever saw” the show – “but what I did see, I adored”.
As of yet, there’s no word on whether original stars of Motherland Anna Maxwell Martin (Julia), Diane Morgan (Liz) and Paul Ready (Kevin) will appear in the series in any capacity, but with a new location and main character to follow, Amandaland is set to introduce us to some new faces. Namely, Derry Girls’ Siobhan McSweeney, Line Of Duty’s Rochenda Sandall, Doctor Who’s Samuel Anderson and Ekow Quartey.
When does Amandaland air?
The series – which will consist of six episodes – will air on BBC One and iPlayer at 9 pm on February 5.
Is Motherland coming back?
Unfortunately, there’s no word on whether Motherland will return to our screens anytime soon - but fans of the show have Amandland to sink their teeth into for now.
