Amandaland; A Hilarious Spin-off from Motherland
Amandaland, the spin-off from the acclaimed sitcom Motherland, has arrived with a bang, delivering sharp satire and uproarious comedy centred around Lucy Punch’s character, Amanda. The series, created by the original Motherland team, sees Amanda navigating life after divorce, trading her posh Chiswick lifestyle for the gritty streets of south Harlesden, which she insists on rebranding as “SoHa.”
Amanda’s new reality includes a Tesla perpetually on the brink of running out of battery, a state school for her children, and a relentless quest to maintain her status as a “people person.” The show’s humour is as biting as ever, with Amanda’s narcissism and delusions of grandeur providing endless laughs. Joanna Lumley reprises her role as Amanda’s icy, aristocratic mother, Felicity, whose disdain for Amanda’s reduced circumstances adds another layer of hilarity. Their toxic yet oddly endearing dynamic is a highlight, as is Amanda’s codependent friendship with Anne (Philippa Dunne), her ever-loyal minion.
The series introduces a host of new characters, including a lesbian power couple, Della (Siobhán McSweeney) and Fi (Rochenda Sandall), whose relaxed parenting style and chaotic house parties provide fertile ground for comedy. The writing remains razor-sharp, with jokes about middle-class pretensions, wellness culture, and British absurdities landing perfectly. Amanda’s attempts to reinvent herself as a minimalist guru, complete with a mood board and a maroon Aertex T-shirt, are both cringe-worthy and oddly moving.
While the absence of Motherland favourites like Julia, Liz, and Kevin is felt, Amandaland more than holds its own, thanks to Punch’s impeccable comic timing and the show’s ability to balance humour with moments of genuine pathos. Amanda’s struggles as a single mother, her unravelling ego, and her refusal to let the world break her make her a tragically relatable figure.
In short, Amandaland is a triumph, offering a rare blend of laugh-out-loud comedy and poignant social commentary. Fans of Motherland need not worry – this spin-off is every bit as brilliant as its predecessor.
Amandaland review – a rare chance to laugh so hard you wee yourself
The worst Motherland mother of all gets her own spin-off – and the gag rate is so high it fizzes with the hysterical energy of perimenopause. It’s goo
www.theguardian.com
Amandaland, review: Lucy Punch and Joanna Lumley make a dream comic double act
Motherland fans needn’t have worried – BBC One’s new spin-off, focusing on Lucy Punch’s yummy mummy Amanda, is both hilarious and heartfelt
www.telegraph.co.uk
Long live Amandaland!
The Motherland spin-off’s star returns diminished but undimmed.
www.newstatesman.com
Amandaland will make you howl with laughter – Lucy Punch has never been better
‘Motherland’ spin-off, following Punch’s posh alpha mum, is clever, jolly and hard to resist
www.independent.co.uk
Amandaland review: Sharon Horgan comedy spin-off stands firmly on its own two feet
Television: Series sees Motherland’s obviously posh mum Amanda return as she juggles parenting with a career as an influencer
www.irishtimes.com
‘Amandaland’ review: It’s hard to love Motherland’s queen bee without her sting
Making a spin-off from a successful and beloved sitcom can be a fraught business.
www.independent.ie
TV Review: Amandaland, BBC One
I was reading recenty that there was a TV sitcom crisis, that broadcasters weren't making sitcoms any more. Well you could've fooled me. Channel 4 has
www.beyondthejoke.co.uk
Amandaland review: Is the Motherland spin-off a worthy successor?
Lucy Punch's relentless social climber is where she belongs.
www.radiotimes.com
Amandaland review - Lucy Punch and Joanna Lumley shine in Motherland spin-off
Amandaland has finally arrived on BBC iPlayer two years after Motherland left our screens, and it's packed full of the laugh-out-loud comedy fans have
www.express.co.uk
Amandaland on BBC review: A surprisingly good spin-off to fill the Motherland void
The spin-off of the hit BBC show is a satisfying return for our favourite west London yummy mummies — and turns out it packs quite the Punch, too
www.standard.co.uk