Amandaland fans declare Jennifer Saunders ‘stole the show’ as fans laud her reunion with Ab Fab pal Joanna Lumley in Christmas Special
Amandaland viewers praised Jennifer Saunders’ appearance in the BBC sitcom’s Christmas special, saying the comedy legend ‘stole the show’.
Jennifer, 67, guest-starred as Aunt Joan, sister of Amanda’s mother Felicity – played by her Absolutely Fabulous co-star Joanna Lumley.
The premise saw Amanda (Lucy Punch) take her family, along with Anne (Philippa Dunne) and Mal (Samuel Anderson), to Joan’s country house for Christmas.
But things don’t go quite as planned; Amanda strives to recreate the magical Christmas experiences she had there as a child.
Fans writing online were delighted to see Jennifer’s role in the festival episode as well as seeing her and 79-year-old Joanna together on screen again.
Posts on X included: ‘Watching the #Amandaland Christmas Special’. Jennifer Saunders steals the episode.’
Amandaland viewers were excited to see Jennifer Saunders guest star in the show’s Christmas special
In particular, fans shared their joy at seeing Jennifer and Absolutely Fabulous co-star Joanna Lumley reunited on screen.
Jennifer’s guest starred as Aunt Joan, the aunt of main character Amanda (left, played by Lucy Punch).
‘Joanne Lumley and Jennifer Saunders have great chemistry;’
‘Seeing Jennifer Saunders and Jo Lumley deliver a spectacular performance of laughter and drama in #amandaland has been my Christmas ;’
‘Joanna Lumley and Jennifer Saunders are so good together;’
Viewers adore Jennifer and Joanna for their roles on the classic sitcom Absolutely Fabulous, which aired intermittently from 1992 to 2012.
The film followed Jennifer’s character Edina Monsoon, a hard-drinking public relations mogul, and her best friend and former model Patsy Stone, played by Joanna.
The duo also reprized their roles in a 2016 film based on the series, alongside returning stars Julia Sawalha, June Whitfield and Jane Horrocks.
Speaking earlier this month, Jennifer touched on her appearance in Amandaland and the future of Absolutely Fabulous.
Regarding the latter, he told The Times: ‘We’re quite old. I’m 67, he’s 79. It takes a lot of energy to do something like that.’
Writing online, fans were delighted to see Jennifer’s role in the festival episode as well as seeing her and 79-year-old Joanna together on screen again.
Speaking about her role as Felicity in Amandaland, Jennifer said: “I read the script and said ‘this is it’. This is great. It’s really well written.
‘Decent character jokes and funny performances, plenty of falls. I think this is great. I love it.’
Lead star Lucy said: ‘I’m so excited to start Amandaland Series Two with our wonderfully talented, lovely cast.
‘The Christmas special is going to be absolutely amazing; It literally lights up a fire with all its festive feelings. Ring the bells!’
Jennifer said: ‘I’m delighted to be joining the fabulous Amandaland gang for a Christmas special.
Jennifer and Joanna are beloved for their starring roles in the iconic sitcom Absolutely Fabulous, which was also created and written by Jennifer.
‘It’ll definitely be fun to play Joanna’s on-screen sister, who doesn’t like SoHa-style family get-togethers!’
Earlier this year, Ab Fab fans went wild when Jennifer and Joanna reunited in grand style for the Burberry show in Kensington Gardens, which closed London Fashion Week with British nostalgia.
In a power move that would please fame-obsessed, Bollinger-loving Eddie and Patsy, the actresses rubbed shoulders with the likes of Elton John and Naomi Campbell in the crowded front row.
Jennifer and Joanna decided not to portray their characters’ more flamboyant fashion sense; instead, they opted for classic Burberry trench coats and the brand’s signature plaid accessories.
In another nod to their nineties soap, the pair sat next to famous model Twiggy, who she guest-starred in two episodes of the show.
Amandaland is available to watch on BBC One and iPlayer.
