Amandaland Kicks Off This Week

Following three beloved series of Anna Maxwell-Martin’s Motherland, the BBC revealed in May 2024 that it was working on a spin-off, centring on Alpha-Mum ringleader Amanda (Lucy Punch). Flash forward to now, and Amandaland is just a day away. Here’s what to expect from the new comedy, plus when it’ll air on TV.

Amandaland: Plot, Cast, Release Schedule & More

‘Motherland continues to be one of the most loved comedies on the BBC, and we’re so pleased we are carrying on with the story, taking the characters in a new direction and to a different postcode,’ the BBC’s head of comedy Tanya Qureshi said on the news in May 2024.

Just like Motherland, Amandaland has been created and produced by Sharon Horgan and her production company, Merman. On the news, Horgan shared: ‘We’re delighted to be working with the BBC and with this incredible cast. Motherland took off in a way that none of us were expecting and it’s just so exciting that we get to continue to make this next chapter of parenthood and friendship. We have new parents, a new school and new problems to look forward to. We can’t wait to get going on it.’

Amanda (LUCY PUNCH) & Felicity (JOANNA LUMLEY) in Amandaland. (© Merman/Natalie Seery/BBC)

What Will Happen?

Amandaland will plummet us right in the middle of Amanda’s life. Following her divorce from Johnny, she has had to up sticks from Chiswick and downsize in Soha (South Harlesden). With both Manus and Georgie now in secondary school, Amanda balks to find herself suddenly raising teenagers, having to deal with the associated trials and tribulations, from underage drinking to social media horrors to eco-anxiety.

‘Amanda is now living in an upper-level flat, with someone below her which is a hard pill for her to swallow,’ lead star Lucy Punch summarises. ‘She’s moved away from Chiswick and all its treats, like Gail’s. The kids are now in high school, and Amanda is starting over. She’s probably had a quiet breakdown or meltdown along the way. She’s disintegrated somewhat but has galvanised herself, got a blowout, done her nails, bought a new outfit, and is bringing her full Amanda energy to South Harlesden to whip up a storm. She’s trying to recreate what she had but realises it’s impossible without the house, clothes or husband. Despite this, she’s doing her best and doing a pretty good job.’

Even a mother with the confidence of Amanda cannot navigate these tumultuous waters alone, and Anne (Philippa Dunne) re-enters the fold to help Amanda integrate with the other parents at the kids’ new school. Meanwhile, Amanda’s mother Felicity (Joanna Lumley) is always around – though loath to admit she’s lonely. Their co-dependent relationship continues, fuelled by backhanded compliments and thinly veiled snipes.

Mal (SAMUEL ANDERSON), Anne (PHILIPPA DUNNE) & Amanda (LUCY PUNCH) in Amandaland. (© Merman/Natalie Seery/BBC)

The Cast

• Lucy Punch as Amanda
• Joanna Lumley as Felicity
• Philippa Dunne as Anne
• Samuel Anderson as Mal
• Siobhan McSweeney as Della
• Rochenda Sandall as Fi
• Ekow Quartey as JJ
• Peter Serafinowicz as Johannes

What Is Amandaland Based On?

A spin-off from Motherland, Amandaland is similarly based on, well, real life. ‘From life and from each other,’ Horgan tells the BBC. ‘Motherland inspired us, too. What worked in that setting and how we wanted it to evolve from there. Lucy, Phillipa and Joanna were also big inspirations.’

‘We asked all our friends for their stories, wrote down conversations we overheard in cafes, and mined our own lives for embarrassing details,’ co-creator and series writer Holly Walsh adds.

Mal (SAMUEL ANDERSON) & Amanda (LUCY PUNCH) in Amandaland. (© Merman/Natalie Seery/BBC)

Will There Be Amandaland Series 2?

No news just yet on whether the BBC will renew Amandaland for a second series, but if the success of Motherland is anything to go by, there’s a long future ahead.

Amandaland Episode Schedule

Amandaland begins 9pm 5 February 2025 on BBC One, and will then air at the same time and place for six weeks. The release schedule is as follows:

• Episode 1: 9pm 5 February 2025
• Episode 2: 9pm 12 February 2025
• Episode 3: 9pm 19 February 2025
• Episode 4: 9pm 26 February 2025
• Episode 5: 9pm 5 March 2025
• Episode 6: 9pm 12 March 2025

Amanda (LUCY PUNCH) & Manus (ALEXANDER SHAW) in Amandaland. (© Merman/Natalie Seery/BBC)

WATCH

Once they have aired, episodes of Amandaland will be available to stream on BBC iPlayer. All episodes of Motherland are also available to stream here.