Motherland fans can rejoice as the BBC has revealed that a spin-off focusing on the pretentious (and recently divorced) Amanda will hit screens later this year.
Titled Amandaland, the series will focus on the character of Lucy Punch, and her dramatic fall from grace, as she navigates her singleness, her acid-tongued mother, and the challenges of raising two teenagers.
The news will no doubt be welcome for fans, as it comes 18 months after the final episode of Motherland hit screens in December 2022, and two months after Diane Morgan confirmed the comedy would not be returning.
After her divorce, Amanda has had to downsize and move to South Harlesden, or as the estate agent calls it, SoHa (definitely not the area around Wormwood Scrubs prison).
With Manus and Georgie now in high school, Amanda has to try to understand how to raise teenagers, dealing with the horrors of modern motherhood, like teenage drinking, fake Instagram accounts, and eco-anxiety.
Motherland fans can rejoice as the BBC has revealed that spin-off Amandaland, starring Lucy Punch (centre), Joanna Lumley (right) and Philippa Dunne (left), will star.
But not even a woman as sure of her paternity as Amanda can face these nightmares alone.
Then there’s Felicity (Joanna Lumley), Amanda’s mother, who is constantly around and is in complete denial that she is, in fact, lonely.
Theirs is a slightly unhealthy, codependent relationship based on backhanded compliments and veiled criticism of their new home.
After a brief period of freedom, Anne (Philippa Dunne) returns to being Amanda’s subordinate to help her navigate the social scene with the other parents at the children’s new school.
The series is expected to air on the BBC later this year and further casting will be announced in due course.
Tanya Qureshi, BBC’s head of comedy, says: “Motherland remains one of the BBC’s best-loved comedies and we’re excited to continue the story, taking the characters in a new direction and a different postcode.
“Lucy, Joanna and Phillipa are three of the funniest comedy actors out there and we’re thrilled to have them on board.”
Sharon Horgan, co-founder of Merman, says: “We are delighted to be working with the BBC and this incredible cast.
Titled Amandaland, the series will focus on the pretentious Amanda, and her dramatic fall from grace, as she navigates her single status and raising two teenagers.
‘Motherland took off in a way that none of us expected and it’s so exciting to be able to continue making 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 started.”
Clelia Mountford, co-founder of Merman, says: “We are delighted to bring Amandaland to the BBC and share the next chapter of Amanda’s story.
‘The viewers are in luck! It has been very rewarding to see how the complexity of Amanda’s character has developed; her relationship with her mother, her life as a single mother, and her budding career.
“It’s a pleasure to once again work with such incredible comedy talents as Lucy, Joanna and Phillipa.”
Agapy Kapouranis, President of International Television and Digital Distribution at Lionsgate, says: “The BBC is the perfect home for the return of these beloved characters, and we are delighted to once again partner with Merman to bring Amandaland to both fans of the original series. as to new audiences”. .’
In February, Diane told The Times that the BBC had quietly axed Motherland after three series.
The news will be welcome for fans as it comes 18 months after the final episode of Motherland hit screens in 2022, and two months after Diane Morgan confirmed the comedy had been axed.
Motherland documented the ups and downs of modern middle-class parenthood and ran for three series, including two Christmas specials (pictured Diane Morgan)
She said: “I hate to say it, because there are still women running up to me with prams in the street asking me when he’s coming back.”
The news caused a stir among fans on social media with posts including: ‘Guessing, one die-hard fan said: “Fuck it, it’s been cancelled;
‘Is it true that #motherland has been cancelled? WTF BBC One;’
‘Can’t we still get one of the Christmas specials etc?’
Motherland documented the highs and lows of modern middle-class parenthood and ran for three series, including two Christmas specials.
The show was created by Sharon Horgan, Graham Linehan, Helen Serafinowicz and Holly Walsh and also starred Anna Maxwell Martin, Diane Morgan, Paul Ready and Tanya Moodie.
