Absolutely Fabulous Icons Reunite As Joanna Lumley And Jennifer Saunders Return To The Same Screen — Nine Years Later
For fans of Absolutely Fabulous, Tuesday night delivered a moment that felt almost unreal.
Joanna Lumley and Jennifer Saunders — the comedy duo who defined an era — arrived side by side at London’s BFI Southbank for a special screening of the Amandaland Christmas episode, sparking an instant wave of nostalgia among viewers who have waited nearly a decade to see them share the screen again.
The festive special marks the first on-screen reunion between the two icons since the 2016 Ab Fab movie — and while this isn’t Edina Monsoon and Patsy Stone, the magic between them remains unmistakable.
A New Show, New Characters — Same Chemistry
In the BBC sitcom Amandaland, a spin-off of the hit comedy Motherland, Joanna Lumley stars as Felicity Sanderson — the sharp-tongued, formidable mother of Amanda, played by Lucy Punch.
Jennifer Saunders joins the Christmas special as Joan, Felicity’s sister — a character described as her polar opposite, bursting with upper-class enthusiasm and country-living cheer.
“I am delighted to be joining the fabulous Amandaland gang for a Christmas special,” Jennifer said.
“Playing Joanna’s on-screen sister is guaranteed to be a laugh — who doesn’t love a family reunion, SoHa-style?”
Despite fans hoping for echoes of Edina and Patsy, Joanna was quick to clarify that this reunion would be something entirely different.
“We’re playing characters as far from Edina and Patsy as can be imagined,” she said.
Still, she admitted the joy of working with her longtime friend again was deeply felt.
“Everyone adored having her there — especially me,” Joanna added. “And it all felt empty when the Christmas episode was over and she had gone.”
Festive Chaos And A Family Secret
While Lumley and Saunders were thrilled to reunite, their characters are far less enthusiastic.
The official synopsis teases festive tension as Amanda and her family head to Aunt Joan’s country house for Christmas — only for plans to unravel when Mal and Anne tag along.
Amanda struggles to recreate the magical Christmases of her childhood. Anne is distraught at being separated from her family. Felicity grows increasingly irritated by her sister’s relentless cheerfulness. And Mal stumbles across a mysterious photograph hinting at a long-buried family secret.
It’s festive chaos, Amandaland style.
A Hit Show Going From Strength To Strength
First premiering in February, Amandaland was an instant success, averaging 6.4 million viewers and becoming the BBC’s second-biggest comedy launch. A second series has already been confirmed.
The show follows Amanda, a recently divorced mum trying to juggle parenting, friendships, and a new relationship — all while navigating the competitive ecosystem of school-gate politics.
The spin-off was created by the same team behind Motherland: Holly Walsh, Sharon Horgan, Helen Serafinowicz, Barunka O’Shaughnessy and Laurence Rickard.
Alongside Lucy Punch and Joanna Lumley, the cast includes Philippa Dunne, Samuel Anderson, Siobhán McSweeney, Rochenda Sandall and Ekow Quartey.
A Stylish Premiere — And Big Expectations
At the screening, Lucy Punch looked effortlessly chic in a cream satin blouse paired with a velvet bow tie, black Bermuda shorts and knee-high leather boots. Philippa Dunne opted for animal-print jeans and a black turtleneck layered with gold necklaces, while Samuel Anderson turned heads in a herringbone coat, burgundy shirt and bowler hat.
Speaking about the festive episode, Lucy teased:
“The Christmas special is going to be an absolute cracker — it’s like totes fire, with all the festive feels. Slay bells!”
The recently released trailer shows the group arriving at Aunt Joan’s country home — with tension bubbling beneath the tinsel. In one scene, Amanda gifts Joan a present, prompting Anne to gasp: “Didn’t I just gift you that?”
“Yes,” Amanda replies, unapologetically.
In another moment, Anne warns Mal, “I really think Amanda deserves to know…” — only for Amanda to appear mid-sentence, demanding: “What do I deserve to know?”
A Reunion That Feels Like Coming Home
While Joanna Lumley and Jennifer Saunders insist this isn’t an Absolutely Fabulous revival, the emotional pull is undeniable. Seeing them together again — even as entirely new characters — feels like a quiet gift to fans who grew up with their brilliance.
The Amandaland Christmas Special airs on Christmas Day at 9:15pm on BBC One and iPlayer — and for many viewers, it may feel like a festive reunion they never thought they’d see again.
