Following three series of the Merman-produced, BAFTA award-winning series Motherland, a brand-new spin-off, Amandaland, is coming to the BBC, focused on Amanda (Lucy Punch).
Post her divorce, Amanda has had to downsize and up sticks to South Harlesden, or as the Estate Agent calls it SoHa (definitely not the area around Wormwood Scrubs prison).
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.
Then there’s Amanda’s mother Felicity (Joanna Lumley) who is constantly around, and completely in denial that she is, in fact, lonely. Theirs is a slightly unhealthy co-dependent relationship based on backhanded compliments and veiled snipes about her new home.
After a brief spell of freedom, Anne (Philippa Dunne) is sucked back into being Amanda’s minion to help her navigate the social scene with the other parents at the children’s new school. Thank God for Anne.
Tanya Qureshi, Head of Comedy at the BBC says: “Motherland continues to be one of the most loved comedies on the BBC, and we’re so pleased we are carrying on with the story, taking the characters in a new direction and to a different postcode. Lucy, Joanna and Phillipa are three of the funniest comedy actors around and we’re thrilled to have them on board.”
Sharon Horgan, Co-Founder of Merman says: “We’re delighted to be working with the BBC and with this incredible cast. Motherland took off in a way that none of us were expecting and it’s just so exciting that we get to continue to make this next chapter of parenthood and friendship. We have new parents, a new school and new problems to look forward to. We can’t wait to get going on it”.
Clelia Mountford, Co-Founder of Merman says: “We’re delighted to be bringing Amandaland to the BBC and to share the next chapter of Amanda’s story. Viewers are in for a treat! It’s been so rewarding seeing how the complexity of Amanda’s character has developed; the relationship with her mother, life as a single parent and her fledgling career. It’s a joy to be working with such incredible comedy talent such as Lucy, Joanna and Phillipa once more.”
Agapy Kapouranis, Lionsgate President of International Television & Digital Distribution says: “BBC is the perfect home for the return of these beloved characters, and we are pleased to re-team with Merman to bring Amandaland to both fans of the original series and new audiences.”
Amandaland is written by Holly Walsh (Motherland, The Other One, Dead Boss), Helen Serafinowicz (Motherland, Nova Jones) and Barunka O’Shaughnessy (Breeders, Trying, Motherland).
Amandaland (6 x 30) is a Merman production for BBC One and iPlayer. The show was commissioned by Tanya Qureshi, Head of Comedy at the BBC. The Executive Producers for Merman are Sharon Horgan, Clelia Mountford, Helen Serafinowicz, Barunka O’Shaughnessy and Holly Walsh. Lionsgate distributes the series worldwide.
Full casting, production credits and scheduling will be announced in due course.
HM2