Dame Joanna Lumley is nothing if not persuasive.
Speaking at a special screening of the Amandaland Christmas episode at London’s BFI Southbank, the 79-year-old revealed she personally nudged her former Absolutely Fabulous co-star Jennifer Saunders back onto the screen.
“When I heard the notion that it might be Jennifer, I actually emailed her and said, ‘If the script comes your way, do it, or I’ll have to kill you,’” Lumley said, laughing.
Their onscreen history as the feuding, champagne-loving Eddie and Patsy clearly hasn’t faded in memory—and Lumley wasn’t taking any chances.
A First Time Playing Sisters
The reunion in Amandaland marks the first time the pair have worked together since 2016’s Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie.
In the new BBC comedy, Lumley plays Felicity Sanderson, the wicked mother of Amanda (Lucy Punch), while Saunders guest-stars as Felicity’s sister Joan.
Despite decades of friendship and shared screen time, Lumley says the dynamic felt fresh.
“Because we know each other, we never think of it as being on screen,” she explained.
“The difference here, of course, is that we’re playing sisters.
When we were doing Ab Fab, we just knew how they would be. We’ve never played these two.”
Saunders echoed the sentiment, calling the reunion “an absolute gift.”
“I am delighted to be joining the fabulous Amandaland gang for a Christmas special.
It was really good fun just hanging out,” she said.
Amandaland’s Record-Breaking Success
The spin-off has already proven a ratings hit.
When Amandaland premiered in February, it averaged 6.4 million viewers, making it the BBC’s second-biggest comedy launch of the year.
Filming for the second series is now underway, and fans can expect more of Lumley and Saunders’ trademark wit.
The lighthearted reunion comes at a challenging time for the BBC.
This year, the corporation has faced a string of controversies, culminating in a $10 billion lawsuit from former US President Donald Trump over a doctored Panorama clip.
Internal reports also alleged bias and censorship, triggering resignations including director-general Sir Tim Davie and BBC News chief executive Deborah Turness.
Comedy as a Refuge
Saunders suggested that the BBC should focus on delivering more comedy rather than being embroiled in news controversies.
“We definitely need more comedy,” she said when asked about the ongoing legal storm.
For now, at least, Lumley and Saunders have provided a moment of levity.
Their onscreen reunion reminds audiences of the enduring appeal of witty banter, sharp timing, and the magic that happens when old friends reconnect—even in the middle of turbulent times for the BBC.
What’s Next
Fans can expect the Amandaland Christmas special to bring back the warmth, humor, and mischief that made Absolutely Fabulous a household name, while the BBC braces for more series and, inevitably, more headlines.
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