Motherland fans are in for a winter treat. Amandaland, a spin-off TV series involving some of the show's most iconic characters, is coming to the BBC.
Another brainchild of Bad Sisters and Catastrophe creator Sharon Horgan, Motherland explored the trials and tribulations of middle-class motherhood, as well as the importance of creating a sisterhood to get you through parenthood. Lucy Punch played Amanda, who has been described aptly as an “alpha mum”, and we will see her make sense of her new surroundings after going through a divorce.
Just as she did in Motherland, Joanna Lumley will appear in Amandaland as Amanda's narcissistic, judgmental mum, as will Philippa Dunne as Anne Flynn, described as Amanda's “minion”. Produced one again by Horgan, we cannot wait for this one to hit screens.
She sat down with GLAMOUR to talk portraying abuse on screen, imperfect relationships and writing as therapy.
“I was genuinely sad having to say goodbye to Motherland,” Sharon has said. "There's such a fondness for that show and those characters. So it was a real thrill to get to pick up the further adventures of Amanda and Anne, not to mention Felicity.
“Lucy, Phillipa and Joanna are top of their game in these roles and are joined by an incredibly funny and talented new cast. Can't wait to showcase the next challenges of parenthood and the very particular kind of friendship the school gates bring.”
Here's what we know about upcoming spin-off Amandaland.
What is Amandaland about?
The synopsis for the show reads as follows: "Post her divorce, Amanda has had to downsize and up sticks to South Harlesden, or as the estate agent calls it, SoHa (definitely not the area around Wormwood Scrubs prison).
"With both Manus and Georgie now at secondary school, Amanda has to try and get her head around raising teenagers, dealing with modern motherhood horrors like teenage drinking, fake Instagram accounts and eco-anxiety. Not even a woman as certain of her parenting as Amanda can deal with these nightmares alone.
"Amanda’s mother Felicity (Joanna Lumley) is constantly around, and completely in denial that she is, in fact, lonely. Theirs is a slightly unhealthy co-dependent relationship based on backhanded compliments and veiled snipes about her new home.
"After a brief spell of freedom, Anne (Philippa Dunne) is sucked back into being Amanda’s minion to help her navigate the social scene with the other parents at the children’s new school. Thank God for Anne.'
Amandaland cast
Joining Lucy, Joanna and Philippa on Amandaland will be Derry Girls favourite Siobhán McSweeney, Gavin and Stacey's Samuel Anderson, Rochenda Sandall (Line Of Duty), Ekow Quartey and The Gentlemen's Peter Serafinowicz.
Amandaland release date
The series will premiere on 5 February on BBC1 and BBC iPlayer, with new episodes airing weekly.
Amandaland trailer
Watch below. On top of her big move out of Chiswick, it looks like Amanda's trying her hand at being an influencer, with hilarious results.
