BBC comedy fans have reason to celebrate as Amandaland, the acclaimed spin-off of the hit sitcom Motherland, returns for a second series tonight. The show, which premiered on BBC One in February last year, has been hailed by some viewers as even better than its predecessor.
What is Amandaland about?
The series follows Amanda Hughes (played by Lucy Punch), the shallow yet sarcastic leader of a local mum group from Motherland. After her divorce, Amanda is forced to move from affluent Chiswick to the less fashionable South Harlesden (dubbed SoHa) with her two teenage children. Now a single mother, she navigates life in her new neighbourhood while juggling parenting, her online brand Senuous, and her job at Kitchen's Bathrooms and Kitchens.
Season 2 plot details
In the new season, Amanda resigns herself to staying in SoHa and is thrilled when a hipster coffee shop opens, which she sees as a sign of gentrification. Her basement neighbour, single dad Mal (Samuel Anderson), remains nearby, and the romantic tension between them lingers. However, the arrival of Mal's straight-talking ex, Abs (Harriet Webb), complicates matters when Amanda struggles to connect with her. Despite her personal growth, Amanda's head is turned when a large house in the area goes up for sale, and she becomes desperate to own it.
Cast and new additions
Lucy Punch reprises her role as Amanda, joined by Joanna Lumley as Felicity, Philippa Dunne as Anne, and Samuel Anderson as Mal. New cast member Pam Ferris, known for Call the Midwife, plays Amanda's frail neighbour Elspeth, who lives in a highly desirable house and quickly becomes Amanda's friend. Harriet Webb joins as Abs. Unfortunately, Della (Siobhán McSweeney) is working on a cruise, so her presence in SoHa is limited this season.
Fan reactions
Since its debut, Amandaland has drawn praise from comedy lovers, with some declaring it superior to Motherland. On Reddit, one fan wrote: "I just finished it and honestly thought it was better than Motherland. I found Johannes so funny." Another commented: "Me too, can't remember how long since I laughed out loud at a new comedy for a good while." A third added: "Love it - better than I hoped," while another said: "Binged it all and loved it." One viewer confessed: "Liked it a lot, love Amanda (Motherland I don't like the main character much SORRY) but was always invested in Amanda."
Amandaland airs tonight at 9pm on BBC One and is available on iPlayer.
