Amandaland viewers showered praise on 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 to 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 home for Christmas.
But things don’t quite go to plan – as Amanda struggles to recreate her magical Christmas experiences there as a child.
Writing online, fans were delighted by Jennifer’s role in the festive episode, as well as by seeing her and Joanna, 79, back on-screen together.
Posts on X included: ‘Watching #Amandaland Christmas Special. Jennifer Saunders is stealing the episode.’
‘Joanne Lumley and Jennifer Saunders just have the perfect chemistry;’
‘Seeing Jennifer Saunders and Jo Lumley absolutely smashing it for laughs and drama on #amandaland has made my Christmas;’
‘Joanna Lumley & Jennifer Saunders are so good together;’
Viewers adore Jennifer and Joanna for their roles in classic sitcom Absolutely Fabulous, which aired on and off from 1992 to 2012.
It followed Jennifer’s character Edina Monsoon – a heavy-drinking PR mogul – and best friend and ex-model Patsy Stone, played by Joanna.
The pair also reprised their roles in a 2016 movie based on the series, alongside fellow returning stars Julia Sawalha, June Whitfield and Jane Horrocks.
Speaking earlier this month, Jennifer addressed her appearance in Amandaland as well as Absolutely Fabulous’ future.
Regarding the latter, she said to The Times: ‘We’re quite old. I’m 67, she’s 79. It takes a lot of energy to do something like that.’
And discussing her Amandaland role as Felicity, Jennifer shared: ”I read the script and I was like, this is it. This is great. It’s just really well written.
‘Proper character jokes and funny performances, plenty of falling over. I think it’s just terrific. I love it.’
Lead star Lucy said: ‘I’m beyond excited to get started on Amandaland Series two with our brilliantly talented lovely cast.
‘The Christmas special is going to be an absolute cracker – it’s like totes fire, with all the festive feels, for reals. Slay bells!’
While Jennifer said: ‘I am delighted to be joining the fabulous Amandaland gang for a Christmas special.
‘Playing Joanna’s on-screen sister is guaranteed to be a laugh, who doesn’t love a family reunion SoHa style!’
Ab Fab fans were sent wild earlier this year, when Jennifer and Joanna spectacularly reunited for the Burberry show at Kensington Gardens which closed London Fashion Week with a spectacle of Brit nostalgia.
In a power move which would have delighted the fame obsessed, Bollinger-guzzling Eddie and Patsy, the actresses rubbed shoulders with the likes of Elton John and Naomi Campbell on the packed front row.
Jennifer and Joanna decided against channelling their characters’ more flamboyant fashion sense, instead opting for classic Burberry trench coats and the brand’s signature check accessories.
In another nod to their nineties series, the duo were sat next to model Twiggy, who famously guest starred as herself in two episodes of the show.
Amandaland is available to watch on BBC One and iPlayer.
