The BBC has the best comedy I've watched in years - and it's just been renewed for a second season

Samuel Anderson in a black jacket as Mal stands in a field with Lucy Punch as Amanda and Philippa Dunne as Anne both in claret and blue scarves in Amandland.
(Image credit: BBC)

As a huge fan of Motherland, I couldn't wait for Amandland to arrive and I definitely wasn't disappointed - and, it turns out the rest of the nation has loved the spin-off just as much as I did, because it has been announced today, Thursday, March 6, that the comedy has been commissioned for a second series.

The series follows Lucy Punch as Amanda, who in series one had to downsize and move to South Harlesden, or as the estate agent called it - SoHa (definitely not the area around Wormwood Scrubs prison). And with Joanna Lumley back as Amanda’s sharp-tongued mother Felicity, the series was always going to be a recipe for success.

Add in the brilliant Philippa Dunne as Amanda's long-suffering friend, Anne, and an array of other new cast additions including Amanda’s downstairs neighbour Mal (Samuel Anderson) and power couple Della and Fi (Siobhán McSweeney and Rochenda Sandall) and it's easy to see why viewers want more.

The status-seeking Amanda (Lucy Punch) and her sharp-tongued mother Felicity (Joanna Lumley) pose side by side inside a football club for BBC spin-off Amandaland.

Joanna Lumley shines as Amanda's flaky mother, Felicity. (Image credit: BBC One / Merman)

Since launching, Amandaland has averaged 6.4M viewers, making it one of the BBC’s biggest comedy launches in recent years - just a fraction behind Ludwig and on par with The Outlaws.

The first series ended with Amanda turning down a proposal from South African property developer Johannes, choosing instead to stay in SoHa with Anne and her friends - but where will season two take her? It is yet to be announced if Peter Serafinowicz will return as Jonannes, but maybe there could be romance for Amanda and her neighbour Mal, who in season one had a flirty love/hate relationship going on.

One thing is for sure, as spin-offs go, Amanadland is as good as it gets and I can't wait for season 2 to arrive.

You can watch all three seasons of Motherland and the first season of Amandaland on BBC iPlayer now.

CATEGORIES
Claire Crick
Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch

Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia. 

After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off

She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz! 

As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book. 

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