In a hilarious twist befitting their iconic comedy partnership, Joanna Lumley has revealed she issued a mock deadly threat to co-star Jennifer Saunders to secure her appearance in the upcoming Amandaland Christmas special.
A Festive Reunion Forged by 'Threats'
The legendary actress, 79, disclosed that when she learned producers hoped to cast Saunders, 67, she immediately sent an email. "When I heard they were hoping for Jennifer, I emailed her and said, 'If the script comes your way, do it, or I'll have to kill you,'" Lumley told The Sun. She added confidently, "I knew she'd take the pants off it."
Thankfully, Saunders accepted the role, marking the first time the duo have shared the screen since the 2016 film Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie. The festive special, a spin-off from the hit series Motherland, airs on BBC One on Christmas Day.
Back Together Like 'Riding a Bicycle'
In the special, Lumley reprises her role as Amanda's wicked mother, Felicity, while Saunders joins the cast as her sister, Aunt Joan. The plot follows Amanda (Lucy Punch) as she spends Christmas at Joan's country house, accompanied by friends Mal (Samuel Anderson) and Anne (Philippa Dunne).
Saunders described the chance to join the show as "an absolute gift" and said filming was "really good fun just hanging out." She likened working with Lumley again to "riding a bicycle," suggesting their chemistry was instantly rekindled.
Behind the scenes, the pair's camaraderie was evident. Co-star Lucy Punch revealed that Lumley and Saunders "do crosswords all the time" between takes.
Playing Against Type and Cherished Memories
This reunion sees the actors playing characters vastly different from their famous Absolutely Fabulous alter egos, Edina and Patsy. "We were playing characters as far from Edina and Patsy as can be imagined," Lumley noted in a statement, expressing her joy at having Saunders on set. "Everyone adored having her there, especially me, and it all felt empty when the Christmas episode was over and she had gone."
Saunders embraced her new role with characteristic relish, describing Aunt Joan as "fairly shabby but terribly kind and probably farts a lot." She praised the script, calling it "full of great jokes and the kind of character I love playing," and highlighted that the chance to work with Lumley again was "a huge part of the appeal."
This long-awaited on-screen reunion promises to deliver the perfect blend of nostalgia and fresh comedy for viewers this Christmas.
