BBC legend shares devastating update over hit comedy spin-off-Asyia Iftikhar-Entertainment – Metro

Motherland actor Anna Maxwell Martin has disappointing news for fans who hoped she would appear in new spin-off series Amandaland.

Two months after it was confirmed the BBC’s long-running sitcom Motherland – about the trials and tribulations of middle-class motherhood – would not be renewed, there is already a spin-off in the works.

The original series, written by Sharan Horgan, ran for three seasons since 2016 and focused around slightly chaotic mum Julia (Anna) and also starred Cunk on Earth’s Diane Morgan as Liz.

The show went onto critical acclaim and landed a Bafta for best scripted comedy in 2022.

The spin-off series will instead focus on snooty Amanda (Lucy Punch) as she gets sucked into a different social scene at her children’s new school, after being forced to downsize post divorce.

Unfortunately for any fans hoping for a cameo from our lead star and beloved character Julia, it looks like it is not happening.

Most of the original cast won’t be returning (Picture: BBC/Merman/Natalie Seery)

Anna gave her answer on the One Show (Picture: BBC)

When asked if she would be making a guest appearance on The One Show on Thursday, the 47-year-old actor gave a hard no.

‘Can Julia come and have a little cameo at least, a little coffee?’ Alex Jones asked.

‘No, I don’t think Julia or Kevin or Liz are popping in,’ Anna replied, to which the host lamented: ‘This is sad.’

That’s right, Anna also ruled out any cameo from Diane or Paul Ready, who played Julia’s lazy husband.

‘But I’ll be really happy to see those two because I really love them and I think they are so brilliant as well,’ she continued. ‘Phil and Lucy are brilliant comediennes and brilliant actresses so yeah, it’s good.’

Lucy returns for new spin-off Amandaland without the usual mum entourage (Picture: BBC)

The full casting has yet to be announced but Dame Joanna Lumley will return as Amanda’s critical mother Felicity, and Phillippa Dunne is back as her friend Anne.

The full synopsis for Amandaland reads: ‘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.’

Enter Amanda’s mother Felicity who is ‘constantly around’ – they both develop a ‘slightly unhealthy co-dependent relationship’ filled with ‘back-handed compliments and veiled snipes’.

Meanwhile Anne is ‘sucked back into being Amanda’s minion’ as they all try and navigate the brand new social scene.

There is currently no release date for Amandaland.

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