FABULOUSLY FESTIVE

Ab Fab legends Joanna Lumley and Jennifer Saunders are reunited as chalk-and-cheese sisters in hit comedy Amandaland’s Christmas edition

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Lucy Punch and Joanna Lumley return as try-hard divorcée Amanda and her icy mother Felicity in the Amandaland Christmas Special. They’re joined by a very special guest, Joanna’s former Absolutely Fabulous costar Jennifer Saunders, who plays Felicity’s sister Joan.

This seasonal edition of the Motherland spin-off marks the first time that Jennifer and Joanna have shared the screen in a scripted TV show since the end of Ab Fab in 2012 (although they did reunite to play Edina and Patsy for the movie followup in 2016), and the two actresses had great fun playing estranged siblings who reconnect during the festive season.

“It was pretty special having Jennifer in the show,” says Joanna, 79. “We're playing characters as far from Edina and Patsy as can be imagined. Everyone adored having her there, especially me, and it all felt empty when the Christmas episode was over and she'd gone.”

Lead star Lucy, 47, was also thrilled that Jennifer was cast as Joan. “Every single scene with Jennifer Saunders was magnificent, a hilarious delight. And Jennifer with Joanna was even better,” she says.