Last September, something unusual happened on my quiet street in Highbury, North London.

Now, I say unusual, but filming crews setting up shop here isn’t exactly rare.

Thanks to a maze-like one-way system, our road sees minimal traffic, making it an ideal location for TV and film productions.

Plus, the area is filled with media-savvy residents who are more than happy to lend their picturesque homes to the entertainment industry—often for a bit of extra cash or the chance to flaunt a well-designed kitchen.

Over the years, we’ve had ITV use our street for their promotional idents, Rosamund Pike (who happens to be a local) shooting a Hollywood movie around the corner, and even casual sightings of Paul Mescal, fresh from a Gladiator II workout.

So, when a crew arrived one day with their signature setup—catering tents, trailers, and crew members armed with rolls of gaffer tape—I barely gave it a second thought.

The Big Reveal: A New Spin-Off Show

While walking my dog, I was stopped by a polite production assistant who asked me to wait before passing through to avoid ruining a scene.

Curiosity got the better of me, so I asked what they were filming.

Initially hesitant, he finally admitted, “Do you remember Motherland? This is a spin-off called Amandaland.”

At that moment, I looked up and saw Lucy Punch and Joanna Lumley preparing for their scene.

I practically sprinted home to tell my 16-year-old daughter, Celia, who is a die-hard Motherland fan.

Her reaction? Pure hysteria. “You’re kidding me! In our street!?” she squealed.

The thought of Amanda, Motherland’s hilariously pretentious and self-absorbed character, moving to our refined corner of London was thrilling.

Clearly, the writers had decided she needed an upgrade from Chiswick to somewhere with trendier restaurants, high-end delis, and, frankly, a more cultured crowd.

Highbury, after all, has long been home to barristers, authors, and TV producers.

Even our local butcher is a spot where you might bump into Nigel Slater.

A Less-Than-Flattering Representation

But as my neighbors and I eagerly observed the filming, something felt… off.

The crew had scattered trash outside Amanda’s supposed new home and even placed a tipped-over shopping trolley nearby.

The house they chose—while still charming and worth a cool £1.6 million—was on the shabbier side of the street, in need of a fresh coat of paint.

Then came the real bombshell. The BBC’s press release revealed Amanda’s new address was in South Harlesden, dubbed “SoHa” by an optimistic estate agent.

Wait—what?! They were using our beloved Highbury to stand in for an area near Wormwood Scrubs Prison? That felt like a personal insult.

Highbury’s True Identity

My shock only grew when I saw the first episode.

Joanna Lumley’s character, Amanda’s mother, arrives with a “little tuck parcel from Waitrose, now that you’ve only got a Tesco Metro.”

I nearly choked on my glass of biodynamic wine.

Our main supermarket is a Waitrose! And if that’s not posh enough, many of us opt for the absurdly expensive Yield delicatessen, which sells biodynamic wines, imported Spanish chickpeas, and other fancy pantry staples.

Not to mention, Ottolenghi is just a short walk away on Upper Street.

Are we as elite as Chelsea? No. Do our houses fetch Belgravia prices? Not quite.

But Highbury is undoubtedly one of London’s most desirable neighborhoods—despite what Amandaland might imply.

A Sharp Script, Despite the Slight

That said, I have to admit the writing is brilliant.

Amanda may have suffered a financial fall from grace, but she hasn’t lost her cutting wit.

The show cleverly balances her struggles with humor, making her as entertaining as ever.

So, while I may roll my eyes at their portrayal of my beloved neighborhood, I’ll still be tuning in—albeit with a slightly bruised sense of local pride.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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