BBC has confirmed the ‘incredibly funny’ stars joining its new Motherland spin-off, Amandaland.
The new Sharon Horgan sitcom centres on Lucy Punch’s snooty character Amanda who is forced to downsize to South Harlsden after her divorce and navigate a whole new social circle, while raising teenagers.
Her mum Felicity, played by Joanna Lumley, also makes a return as the pair form a toxic co-dependent relationship ‘based on backhanded compliments’ and Amanda’s minion Anne (Philippa Dunne) is also roped back into her chaotic life.
The six-episode spin-off has shared the fresh set of characters that will populate Amanda’s topsy-turvy world filled with ‘modern motherhood horrors like teenage drinking, fake Instagram accounts and eco-anxiety’.
Gavin and Stacey star Samuel Anderson plays Mal and the Derry Girls actor Siobhan McSweeney joins as Della.
They are joined by Rochenda Sandall (Line of Duty) as Fi, Ekow Quartey (Trying) as JJ and Peter Serafinowicz (The Gentlemen) as Johannes.
Bad Sisters star Sharon said that she was ‘sad to say goodbye to Motherland’ but felt a ‘thrill’ to pick back up with ‘the further adventures of Amanda.’
She added: ‘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.’
Tanya Qureshi, Head of Comedy at the BBC, echoed in a statement: ‘We can’t wait for audiences to see Amanda’s new chapter, brought to life by such a talented cast and a wonderfully sharp set of characters. It’s going to be a real treat.’
As for what we can expect from the new characters, their exact roles remain to be seen.
Sadly, Motherland’s lead star Anna Maxwell Martin, who played Julia, previously confirmed she would not make a cameo in the new show.
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When The One Show host Alex Jones asked: ‘Can Julia come and have a little cameo at least, a little coffee?’ Anna replied: ‘No, I don’t think Julia or Kevin or Liz are popping in,’ Anna replied.
(This also rules out an appearance from Diane Morgan and Paul Ready, who played Julia’s lazy husband.)
The 47-year-old actor added at the time: ‘But I’ll be really happy to see those two because I really love them and I think they are so brilliant as well,’ she continued. ‘Phil and Lucy are brilliant comediennes and brilliant actresses so yeah, it’s good.’
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Amandaland returns to BBC and BBC iPlayer in February.
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