Amandaland cast and creatives

Following three series of the BAFTA award-winning series Motherland produced by Merman, Amandaland, which focuses on the character of Amanda played by Lucy Punch, is coming to BBC One and iPlayer in February.

Post her divorce, Amanda has had to downsize and up sticks to South Harlesden, or as the Estate Agent calls it SoHa.

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.

• Watch Amandaland on BBC iPlayer on Wednesday 5 February and add to your watchlist

Interview with Lucy Punch (Amanda)

It’s been a few years since we last saw Amanda on our screens. Where do we find her in Amandaland, and how is she adjusting to her new life in SoHa?

Amanda is now living in an upper-level flat, with someone below her which is a hard pill for her to swallow. She’s moved away from Chiswick and all its treats, like Gail’s. The kids are now in high school, and Amanda is starting over. She’s probably had a quiet breakdown or meltdown along the way. She’s disintegrated somewhat but has galvanised herself, got a blowout, done her nails, bought a new outfit, and is bringing her full Amanda energy to South Harlesden to whip up a storm. She’s trying to recreate what she had but realises it’s impossible without the house, clothes or husband. Despite this, she’s doing her best and doing a pretty good job.

Motherland was a huge success with a devoted following across its three series. What were your initial thoughts when you were approached to lead this new spin-off?

I was incredibly excited, surprised, and intrigued. Intrigued about where the writers thought the show and Amanda’s character could go, how it would look, and how it could maintain the tone and style of Motherland while doing something new.

What’s it like stepping back into the shoes of such an iconic character?

It was lovely and felt quite natural. It was all about figuring out who she is now and navigating her new relationships.

You’ve previously described Amanda as the villain of Motherland. Do we see a softer side to her in Amandaland?

Absolutely. Even as Motherland progressed, while she was a difficult character, we saw that behind the perfect façade was a rather damaged, vulnerable woman. Now, we see her scrambling – not just because she’s used to a different life, but because it’s genuinely hard to raise two teenagers alone, work, and navigate a new place while making new friends. That would challenge anyone. Amanda has a lot of social anxiety and an enormous ego, which makes her life harder, but she’s determined and hopeful. She’s a good mother – her priorities might have been skewed over the years, but she genuinely puts her kids first. Beneath everything, Amanda is probably terribly lonely. She’s been lonely her whole life – lonely as a child, lonely in her marriage, and now in this new world. It’s lovely that she has Anne. I always think the real love story is between Amanda and Anne. Anne is probably the only person who has ever loved Amanda unconditionally.

How did you feel when you first read the Amandaland scripts, and what was the experience of bringing them to life like?

What excited me most was the new characters. Their voices are distinct, specific, and funny, just like in Motherland. Even though the show is called Amandaland, it’s very much an ensemble piece, and it needs to be for it to good and watchable.

This series introduces a whole host of exciting new characters. Can you tell us a bit about them and Amanda’s opinions of them?

The main relationship is with Mal, played by Samuel Anderson, who lives beneath her. They’re essentially living on top of each other, and even if you can’t stand someone or they’re irritating, proximity creates a bond. I was in the room when Sam auditioned, and he was this force of nature with incredible energy. He was the first person confirmed for the show, and I was really excited. He’s a brilliant actor and very funny in a dry way. Then, of course, there’s Siobhan and Rochenda as Della and Fi. They are utterly brilliant together. I had seen Siobhan in Derry Girls and was an absolutely giant fan, but their chemistry together is fantastic. They’re a brilliant double act and so funny. The writers have been very clever because while it still feels like it’s in the same world as Motherland, they’re totally different characters, which is very impressive. We’ve also got Ekow as JJ, who is an absolute sweetheart and really funny. Amanda’s gorgeous children are wonderful actors and very funny too. And, of course, there’s Johannes, who is absolutely hilarious. Peter (Serafinowicz) is so funny and great at improvising. He brought a lot of material to the role. Every time he walked on set, he brought this fantastic energy, and everyone was excited to see what he’d do. His character is completely mad, and he’s perfectly cast because it needed someone with his big comedy energy. He has a huge presence, both as a person and as an actor, and that made working with him a lot of fun.

Amanda has such unique and sometimes complex relationships with Anne and Felicity. Why do you think viewers love the dynamic between Amanda and Anne? And how was it reuniting with Philippa and Joanna?

Even during Motherland, Philippa and I imagined extra scenes for Amanda and Anne – like Amanda giving Anne a makeover or needing her support during a breakdown. They’re just a couple of idiots, really. Philippa is brilliant and so funny. While Amanda was awful to Anne at first, over time, their love and need for each other became clear. Amanda flourishes with Anne around because she can peacock, and now Anne is her lifeline, helping her navigate this new world. It’s the opposite with Felicity. Amanda is more in Anne’s position when it comes to her relationship with her mother. She adores and admires her but it’s complicated, deeply buried love.

What were the highlights of filming this series? Are there any moments that really stand out for you?

The car boot sale scene is unforgettable because the entire set blew away!

Interview with Philippa Dunne (Anne)

After a brief spell of freedom, Anne is yanked back into Amanda’s world. Where do we find her in Amandaland, and how has her relationship with Amanda evolved?

So, when we first see Anne, she’s living her best life. She’s had a few years of freedom, and things are going really well. She’s gone back to work, her kids have grown up, and she’s had the chance to spread her wings, be her own woman, and do her own thing. She’s got her time back to herself; she’s no longer following Amanda around. Her confidence has grown, and she’s made new friends. She’s just in a really good place. Then Amanda comes back into the picture. Of course, Anne is delighted to see Amanda because she absolutely loves her, but she’s unaware of just how much Amanda takes up her time and headspace. Still, she’s thrilled to see her. They’ve had a break from each other, but Anne is ready to jump right back on the horse with Amanda. Whatever Amanda wants, Anne will go along with it, and however she can help her, she’s there. It’s not that Anne has missed Amanda, but she’s always willing to be there for her. Any excuse to pal around with Amanda, and Anne is there.

Anne is famously Amanda’s most loyal supporter. What keeps her coming back?

She just thinks Amanda is everything. Amanda is everything Anne wishes she could be. She’s so glamorous, so beautiful, so sociable – she’s the full glamorous package. She’s got the house, the car, the hair, and Anne just likes to bask in that glory. But also beyond the surface level, Anne sees that Amanda needs help. It’s genuine care, and she does realise that Amanda has these kind of shortcomings that could lead her into sticky situations. So Anne is always there to pick up the pieces.

What makes Anne such a funny and relatable character, and what’s it like to play her?

All through Motherland I just played her as I felt was necessary, and I didn’t know people would like her so much. She was just meant to be a little weirdo who popped up every now and again. But I think people saw the underdog in her, and they started to root for her. They wanted Anne to find her voice and stand up to situations that maybe weren’t the most correct. I think people got behind her in a protective way. They wanted to see her blossom. I love playing her because she is just a lot of fun. The writers write me some great lines and great scenarios. I get to act alongside Lucy (Punch) which is fabulous. I love being Anne to Amanda. I love playing her because I think a lot of the time normal rules don’t apply to her. I can just be as funny as I want to be and they let me away with it.

What was it like reuniting with Lucy Punch and Joanna Lumley?

Fabulous. From the minute I met Lucy, I just knew I wanted to keep working with her. The Anne-Amanda dynamic was something that happened immediately when we met. I don’t know if it was meant to but obviously it was meant to be. Joanna is an absolute icon and a legend. She is a total lady. She is incredible to work with – very entertaining, generous, lovely and great to be around. I used to spend a lot of time watching her and wondering how I could be like her someday. She’s incredible.

How did you feel reading the Amandaland scripts for the first time, and how was it bringing them to life?

I was apprehensive because it was going to be a whole new set of character dynamics and whole new scenario, but I remember being at the table read and everyone in the room was just laughing. It was just so, so funny. The scripts were as funny as the Motherland scripts and as funny as I’d hoped. Everything just worked. As we shot the series, we learned on the job that the dynamics built very naturally and very easily. We were gelling and the dynamics were effortless and it was really good. I love the new energy brought by the new cast, and have loved working with them. I shouldn’t have been surprised but it was a lovely experience.

We meet some new characters in Amandaland, what are your thoughts on them?

We have Amanda’s neighbour Mal, played by Samuel Anderson. There’s some tension between them – they’re always sniping at each other, which is a bit of crack. Anne really likes Mal. She’s kind of the funnel through which Amanda enters this new world, but it turns out Amanda and Mal are already neighbours. Then we have Della and Fi, played by Siobhan McSweeney and Rochenda Sandall. They’re a couple with a daughter who’s in Georgie’s class (Amanda’s daughter). They’re a lot of fun. Anne may or may not get along with some or all of them, but they’re such a fun and interesting couple. There’s always something quirky, weird, or different going on with them, and it’s so entertaining to watch. We also have Ekow Quartey, who plays JJ, the stepdad to Mal’s son, Ned. He’s another lovely addition. I think JJ and Anne are kindred spirits – they’re both a bit socially awkward and trying to find their place where they truly belong. With those two, it’s always like the first day of school. They’re constantly like, “ah guys, will someone just talk to me?” He’s a lovely character and very funny as well.

If Anne’s parenting style could be summed up in one word or phrase, what would it be?

Intense.

Interview with Joanna Lumley (Felicity)

Can you describe your character, Felicity?

Smart, well-connected, quite posh, and a bit snobbish. She’s amused and amusing, with a little bit of cattiness towards her daughter.

How would you describe her relationship with Amanda?

I think it’s slightly scratchy, but underneath, it’s very tender. They do adore each other even though they exasperate one another.

How does Felicity compare to characters you’ve played?

It’s lovely. We planted her in Motherland a little bit, and you never expect a role like that to come back. It was such a treat to see more of her. Like all roles, you ask yourself, “Can I inhabit her? Can I bring her to life and make her believable?” With Felicity, I thought, “Yes, I can do this.” There’s something about her that I really understood.

What was it like working with Lucy Punch again?

I loved it. She’s so, so talented. Very beautiful, incredibly sweet-natured, and meticulous in her work. She challenges herself and is a true, serious actor with brilliant comedic timing.

What was your first reaction when you read the scripts?

They’re lovely. Very well-written, funny, and full of charm. There are some wonderful other characters as well, so there’s so much in it. I’m just an incidental part, really.

In Amandaland, we see Amanda navigating life with teenagers. Do you have any advice for raising teens?

I’d teach them the basics: be prompt, honest, courteous, and grateful—always say please and thank you. And get them off their phones when you can. I know it sounds harsh because we created this phone generation and saw the damage, but they’ve become semi-addicted. They’ll feel better without them. I believe in giving them tasks, not just tidying their rooms but real responsibilities, so they understand that in society, you must play your part. Teach them life skills like ironing or cooking.

Were you a fan of Motherland?

I hardly ever saw it, but what I did see, I adored. I don’t watch much television, but it was sensational – fresh, unbelievably different, and full of amazing performances.

Alongside your iconic acting roles, people also love your travel shows. Is there anywhere you haven’t visited yet but would love to explore?

Yes, the whole of South America! I’ve never been. The furthest south I’ve gone is Mexico and Belize. Not for any particular reason, but the work I’ve done has taken me more toward the east – Africa, India, and the Far East.

Can you imagine Felicity and Amanda taking on Race Across the World?

No! They wouldn’t get beyond Calais.

Would Felicity make a good travel buddy?

Only if it was first-class everything. She’d be fine then – amusing and charming. She leave all the organising, like picking up tickets, to someone else. I think she’d love having servants.

How would you sum up Amandaland in a few words?

It’s extremely funny, strangely touching, and rather gripping. It’s adorable, it’s a really darling show. Lucy is bang in the middle of it but I can’t tell you how much I adore her supporting cast. They’re fabulous. Stunning actors giving phenomenal performances. Lucy would be the first to tell you that when you’re working with good people, everyone’s better for it.

Interview with Holly Walsh (Writer and Creator)

What’s been the most fun part of creating this show?

Working with Lucy, Joanna and Philippa again! They’re the absolute best. They’re just so lovely to work with and really made me laugh. I also loved the casting process – because we found our new SoHa crew – Siobhan, Rochenda, Samuel and Ekow. It goes without saying but writing jokes for incredible performers is just a joy, because they elevate the scenes and find the character with you. Amandaland, like Motherland, is a really collaborative show – and I think that’s why it works – because we’re surrounded by a team (both in front and behind the camera) who are at the top of their game.

Are there any characters or moments you’re particularly excited for audiences to see?

I’m excited to see what everyone thinks of Amanda’s new boyfriend Johannes. He’s a South African property developer who doesn’t wear socks with his loafers.

If you could adopt one aspect of Amanda, Anne, and Felicity’s personalities, which would you choose and why?

As awful as Amanda is, I really love her refusal to accept that things aren’t working out. I think that’s actually an admirable way to look at life. She’s the queen of reinvention. Like a Harlesden version of Madonna.

Why is Amanda the perfect character to lead her own spin-off series?

There was always something unresolved about Amanda’s story in Motherland – she was probably the character that evolved the most over the three series and we felt there was more we could explore. The fall out of her divorce, her tricky relationship with her mother, her desperate attempts to find her calling in life – they were all rich seams for stories. Plus this is a great time for middle class women of a certain age.

With Amandaland, you’ve expanded the world we first saw in Motherland. How did you approach creating new characters and weaving them into Amanda’s story?

Usually when you start a new series, you can invent a whole host of new characters and you don’t have to worry what came before. Which is liberating but also quite intimidating until you know who everyone is. But with this, we kind of had the best of both worlds. We knew we had Amanda, Felicity and Anne – and then we could explore a bunch of new personalities to throw into the mix.

Motherland has a cult following. What can fans expect from Amandaland that’s new and exciting?

I hope if you loved Motherland, you’ll love Amandaland. We’ve jumped forward a few years – so the parents are now dealing with teenagers. So instead of party entertainers and nits, it’s underage drinking and love bites. I also hope if you didn’t like Motherland, you might like Amandaland. But that’s cos I’m needy.

Where did you find inspiration when writing the Amandaland scripts?

Exactly the same way as Motherland. We asked all our friends for their stories, wrote down conversations we overheard in cafes, and mined our own lives for embarrassing details.

Interview with Sharon Horgan (Creator)

With Amandaland, you’ve expanded the world we first saw in Motherland. How did you approach creating new characters and weaving them into Amanda’s story?

Kind of like we did on Motherland. It was organic and evolved out of us just sitting around thinking of who would be good foils for Amanda but also rounded characters in their own right. We knew we wanted someone for Amanda to aspire to be the friend of. Someone up the hierarchical ladder, a posable love interest, a bad choice boyfriend etc. We also thought of actors we liked and wanted to work with and they inspired some of the initial ideas.

If you could adopt one aspect of Amanda, Anne, and Felicity’s personalities, which would you choose and why?

Felicity’s coolness. She’s so cool. Amanda’s belief in herself and her skincare regime. Anne’s kindness.

Motherland has amassed a dedicated following. What can fans expect from Amandaland that’s new and exciting?

I think the whole world of what it is to be the parent of a young teen, the new characters are all very exciting to me. Seeing Amanda slum it a bit, that excited me too.

Where did you find inspiration when writing the Amandaland scripts?

From life and from each other. Motherland inspired us too. What worked in that setting and how we wanted it to evolve from there. Lucy, Phillipa and Joanna were also big inspirations.

Which characters are you most excited for audiences to watch?

Actually all of them. They’re all incredibly charming and funny. I really adore them.