It’s an Absolutely Fabulous Christmas for comedy fans — Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley are officially reuniting on screen for the first time in nearly a decade.
The BBC has confirmed that Amandaland, the Motherland spin-off starring Lucy Punch and Philippa Dunne, will return for a festive special.
Lumley will once again be joined by her longtime comedy partner, Jennifer Saunders, delighting fans.
Lumley, who plays the formidable Felicity in the sitcom, first hinted at the news on ‘The Chris Evans Breakfast Show’ earlier this month.
Now, the BBC has officially announced that the Christmas special is in production.
Saunders will be stepping into the role of Felicity’s sister, Aunt Joan, who is described as ‘a ball of country-living, enthusiastic upper-class bluster [and] very, very different from Felicity.’
The reunion marks the first time the duo have shared the screen since the 2016 Absolutely Fabulous movie, where they last embodied the iconic Edina and Patsy — the hard-drinking, fashion-obsessed best friends who defined a generation of British comedy.
‘I am delighted to be joining the fabulous Amandaland gang for a Christmas special,’ Saunders said. ‘Playing Joanna’s on-screen sister is guaranteed to be a laugh – who doesn’t love a family reunion SoHa style?’
Writers Holly Walsh and Laurence Rickard described Saunders as ‘the perfect addition to the gang,’ while Lucy Punch promised fans a gloriously over-the-top festive treat.
She said: ‘The Christmas special is going to be an absolute cracker – it’s like totes fire, with all the festive feels, for reals. Slay bells!’
Between Lumley’s polished wit and Saunders’ razor-sharp timing, the Amandaland Christmas episode looks set to be one of the BBC’s must-watch festive highlights — and a long-awaited reunion of two comedy legends whose chemistry remains, well, absolutely fabulous.
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