Viewers of the popular BBC series Motherland were excited to learn that the character Amanda, portrayed by Lucy Punch, will be starring in her own spin-off show called Amandaland. The new series follows Amanda, a well-coiffed mother, as she adjusts to life post-divorce in a less affluent neighborhood of London. Airing in February 2025, Amandaland will feature a special Christmas episode on Christmas Day.
Lucy Punch, a 47-year-old British actress, resides in Los Angeles with her partner Dinos Chapman and their two children, nine-year-old Rex and a four-year-old whose name remains undisclosed. Prior to her relationship with Dinos, Lucy was in a three-year relationship with Avengers actor James D’Arcy.
Despite being together since 2014, Lucy and Dinos keep their private life largely out of the public eye as Lucy values her privacy. She expressed her preference for maintaining a sense of mystery in a world where privacy is scarce.
Having moved to Hollywood two decades ago, Lucy and her family live in the artistic enclave of Laurel Canyon. Lucy admits to feeling like a temporary resident in Los Angeles, describing the city as transient. She resists conforming to Hollywood’s beauty standards, opting for a more natural appearance to preserve her authenticity.
Raised in West London, Lucy attended the prestigious Godolphin & Latymer school before pursuing a history of art degree at University College London. Her acting career took off when she landed a role in Jennifer Saunders and Dawn French’s sitcom Let Them Eat Cake. Since then, Lucy has appeared in various films alongside renowned actors like Anthony Hopkins, Naomi Watts, Cameron Diaz, and Meryl Streep.
In Amandaland, Joanna Lumley plays Amanda’s scheming mother, Felicity Sanderson. Lucy expressed her delight in working with Joanna, describing it as a dream come true. The Christmas special will also reunite Joanna with her Absolutely Fabulous co-star Jennifer Saunders, who will portray Felicity’s sister, Joan.
Reuniting with Jennifer was a special experience for Lucy, who recalled her excitement at working with the TV legend for the first time when she was just 22 years old. The Amandaland Christmas Special is set to premiere on BBC One and iPlayer at 9:15 pm on Christmas Day.