Actress Lucy Punch has opened up about her long-awaited on-screen reunion with comedy icon Jennifer Saunders, a full quarter of a century after they first worked together. The pair are set to star in the highly anticipated Amandaland Christmas special on BBC One this festive season.
From Starstruck to Scene Partners
Punch, 47, and Saunders, 67, first shared the screen back in 1999 on the sitcom Let Them Eat Cake. At the time, Saunders and her comedy partner Dawn French were at the peak of their fame following French and Saunders. Punch, then a 22-year-old newcomer, admits she was completely overwhelmed.
"I was about 22 and [couldn't speak] because I was so excited and so impressed," Punch told Metro. Fast forward to rehearsals for the Amandaland festive episode, and the dynamic has evolved. "Even better," Punch said of working with Saunders now. "I sort of got it together this time round, fractionally more, at least."
She revealed a key tactic during rehearsals: monitoring Saunders's laughter. "You're gauging stuff as you're rehearsing with her, going: 'Oh, this is making Jennifer laugh. I'll be sure to do more of that.'"
Amanda's Festive Adventure and a Legendary Reunion
The special, airing on BBC One at 9.15pm on Christmas Day, sees Punch's socially ambitious character Amanda relocate from Chiswick to an area she rebrands as "So-Ha" (South Harlesden). For Christmas, Amanda visits her Aunt Joan, played by Saunders, in the countryside with her family, including her mother Felicity, portrayed by Dame Joanna Lumley.
This marks the first scripted reunion for Lumley and Saunders since Absolutely Fabulous, adding another layer of nostalgia and comedic pedigree to the episode. The special is widely tipped as must-watch TV this Christmas.
The Evolution of a Bully and a Promising Future
Punch first debuted the character of Amanda in 2016 on the BBC comedy Motherland, before the role earned its own spin-off. She describes playing the shameless social climber and bully as "a whole lot of fun," particularly the scenes where Amanda torments her 'friend' Anne.
"I always liked the scenes where I'm bullying Anne, because I feel like that's where she started," Punch admitted. "She was the high school bully. So that dynamic with Anne was the springboard."
Looking ahead, fans will be delighted to know that Amandaland is confirmed to return for another full series in 2026. "People will enjoy it as much, if not more," Punch promised. "All the characters have now become more developed. They've got more of their own storylines, and so I think that'll be really fun."
The actress also reflected on her own determined career path, which saw her leave a university degree in History of Art and French after landing her role on Let Them Eat Cake. Her career has since spanned hit films like Hot Fuzz, St. Trinian's, and Bad Teacher.
