Motherland fans can wipe away their tears after the BBC confirmed a spin-off series based on the fan favourite character.
Viewers were in revolt after it was announced the family comedy had been cancelled just two months ago, with many threatening to cancel their licence fee in response.
But now they can breathe a sigh of relief as Motherland is returning – just in a slightly different form – as new series Amandaland, centred on the misadventures of Amanda (Lucy Punch).
It will follow Amanda, who post-divorce is forced to downsize and live in a less well-heeled part of London, as she gets sucked into different social scene at her children’s new school.
The full casting has yet to be announced but Dame Joanna Lumley will return as Amanda’s critical mother Felicity, and Phillippa Dunne is back as her friend Anne.
The announcement has understandably thrilled viewers, with
Amandaland’s synopsis reads: ‘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.
‘Then there’s Amanda’s mother Felicity (Joanna Lumley) who 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.’
A spin-off centred on Amanda was previously teased by Cunk On Earth’s Diane Morgan, who played Liz in Motherland.
After confirming the OG show’s cancellation, she told The Times: ‘Yes. It’ll live on through her. The ladies with the prams will be pleased, hopefully.’
Motherland was axed in March after three seasons and two Christmas specials. Written by Sharon Horgan, it first aired in 2016 and won the Bafta for best scripted comedy in 2022.
Devastated fans took to X, with @Sophiedt79 fuming: ‘@BBC Hey, BBC! What the heck are you doing cancelling #motherland one of the best shows ever! I can’t believe it! Please reconsider!’
@lydrogerss raged: ‘BBC cancelling Motherland and they still expect me to pay a license fee.’
@Victoria_Vol added: ‘Not a good start to the Easter weekend to discover that @bbccomedy @bbc have axed the brilliant #Motherland. One of the best comedies of the past decade. Why oh why would someone deem this a good decision.’
The comedy series, starring Anna Maxwell Martin, followed the trials, tribulations, and generally cut-throat world of middle-class motherhood.
Amandaland will air on BBC and iPlayer.
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