BBC comedy Amandaland, starring Lucy Punch, Joanna Lumley, and Philippa Dunne, is officially returning for a second series after a hugely successful debut. The show has become a major hit for the BBC, both on iPlayer and BBC One.
Here’s the Lowdown: Amandaland has averaged 6.4 million viewers since its launch, making it the BBC’s second-biggest comedy launch in recent years (excluding special episodes), behind only Ludwig (9.5 million) and equal with The Outlaws (6.4m). It’s also a hit with younger audiences, attracting 0.9 million viewers aged 16-34. The series follows Amanda (Punch) as she deals with life after divorce in South Harlesden (“SoHa”).
What This Means Now: The show’s strong performance confirms its popularity and secures its future. Fans can expect more of Amanda’s struggles with modern motherhood, her complicated relationship with her mother Felicity (Lumley), and her reliance on friend Anne (Dunne).
The Bigger Picture: Amandaland is produced by Merman, the company co-founded by Sharon Horgan (who also co-created the show). The returning writing team includes Holly Walsh, Helen Serafinowicz, Barunka O’Shaughnessy and Laurence Rickard. The first series also featured Samuel Anderson, Ekow Quartey, Siobhán McSweeney, Rochenda Sandall and Peter Serafinowicz. The show’s success demonstrates the continued appetite for well-written, character-driven British comedy.
