Amandaland Series 2 cast reveal what's happening in SoHa as Amanda juggles work, romance and motherhood - "She’s just as delusional about herself as ever!"

Series 2 finds Amanda still living in SoHa, and juggling teenagers, her online Senuous brand and her “co-lab” working at Kitchen’s Bathrooms and Kitchens. Resigned to staying in the area, she is however thrilled by the opening of a hipster coffee shop which to her mind represents a step towards gentrification.

By mid-series, Amanda’s head has been turned by discovering a big house in the area is up for sale. Desperate to own it, she turns to her mother – only to discover that getting Felicity on board financially comes at a price. Her mum may seem evergreen, but is definitely starting to show signs of ageing so maybe living alone is no longer an option…

Fellow divorcee Mal is still Amanda’s basement neighbour and that tiniest of romantic frissons has not disappeared. This series we also meet his ex, no-nonsense Abs, with whom Amanda struggles to connect.

Mal’s unlikely bromance with Abs’s new husband JJ continues, while Fi starts to find her calling as a professional dog walker when Della goes off to work on a cruise.

And of course Anne remains Amanda’s loyal and long-suffering best friend, as they all navigate the challenges of parenting teenagers - through exams, relationships and, for the season finale, the school prom.

Amandaland begins on Wednesday 6 May on BBC iPlayer and BBC One.

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LW

Interview with the cast

Lucy Punch (Amanda)

Where do we find Amanda in Series 2?

Amanda is still in SoHa, she’s more settled now but still doing everything she can elevate to her social standing and circumstances. She’s just as delusional about herself as ever!

How has Amanda evolved since the beginning of Motherland to now?

Her change in circumstances has made her realise, finally, that she’s no better than anyone else. In Motherland, her superiority was her ugliest trait. Nevertheless, her giant ego and status anxiety remains, so she still wants everyone to think she’s the best!

How do you get into character as Amanda?

The hair, the heels, the gels and all the primping that’s involved to look like Amanda helps hugely. I know her so well after 10 years that it’s alarmingly easy to get into this character!

What was your favourite moment from this series to film?

I got to work with so many incredibly funny actors, I loved my scenes with Pam Ferris (who plays Amanda’s neighbour Elspeth in Ep4). She’s brilliant. I love playing Amanda being devious, when she thinks she’s being charming and getting away with it.

The series concludes with the teens getting ready for their high school prom, what do you remember from your high school prom?

Very little, apart from the dress I’d had taken in too much. I couldn’t dance and I couldn’t sit down. I looked like a black tape worm with big shoulders.

Where do we find Amanda and Mal’s relationship at the start of series 2, is there still a glimpse of romance?

There is, but it’s buried very deep! They get on better in this series, which is nice, there’s more teasing friendly banter between them.

What parenting advice would Amanda live by?

Amanda’s values may be incredibly skewed, but she is actually a good parent. She loves her kids and puts them first.

What can viewers expect to see from this series?

There are some fantastically funny new characters, and more hilarious storylines with the ones we already know and love.

Philippa Dunne (Anne)

Where do we find Anne in Series 2?

Anne is of course still in SoHa juggling her high-powered job while raising her kids, attending all of Darius's soccer matches with the other parents, volunteering for activities in Darius's school while also being at the constant beck and call of her best pal Amanda.

How has Anne evolved since the beginning of Motherland to now?

She's definitely more self-assured and settled into her life now, it's like she's hit her groove since going back to work and she's really enjoying having Amanda back in her life too.

What do you do to get into character as Anne?

The costume helps! I dress quite differently to Anne in real life, so the clothes do definitely come in handy when it comes to getting into character. Then add on top of that an excellent and very characterful script and performing alongside Lucy and it's enjoyably effortless!

If you could give your character one piece of life advice, what would it be?

I don't think I have any advice for Anne - she does far more with her life than I do! She's spinning so many plates successfully that I have a lot of admiration for her. I would encourage her to always stand up for herself when she needs to, but she's already shown us before that she can do that.

What’s been the most challenging scene to shoot?

Last series I had to deliver a line about the rapids at a holiday park, and I just couldn't keep it together. It would crack me up every time. I annoyed myself most of all!

What’s something you’ve learned from one of your co-stars?

Bring chocolate to work, it always goes down well.

What parenting advice would Anne live by?

Unconditional love and support for your children. And mandatory tooth brushing before bed, no excuses.

The series concludes with the teens getting ready for their high school prom, what do you remember from your high school prom?

I kind of didn't know it was happening, I don't know why I was so oblivious to it, so when I decided I was going it was all a bit last minute, I went on a scramble borrowing various bits from friends and family. The 90's were way more relaxed but I managed to pull off a look all the same.

Joanna Lumley (Felicity)

How do you get into character as Felicity?

Honestly, it’s all in the script and her selfish, snide character is tempered by being rather ridiculous and strangely spot-on in some of her observations.

What was your favourite moment from this series to film?

It was lovely being on the touchlines of the football pitch; I think we all loved those open-air scenes.

If you could give your character one piece of life advice, what would it be?

Stop being so selfish.

What’s something you’ve learned from one of your co-stars?

From Lucy, love every scene with all your heart.

Felicity has a love interest this series, how was that to play?

It was a charming brief encounter.

Anne becomes an influencer this series, if Felicity became an influencer, what would she go viral for?

Mixing cocktails.

Samuel Anderson (Mal)

What was your favourite moment to film?

My favourite scene to film was building the shed with JJ and Ned with an appearance by the living lady legend Lumley. Us three boys have a great vibe together and then we’ll often just get gassed that we’re working with Joanna which just puts more wind in our sails.

What’s been the most challenging scene to shoot?

The most challenging scene apart from frosty mornings in shorts was a driving scene that we shot in the studio. Fake driving is harder than you’d think.

What’s something you’ve learned from one of your co-stars?

I learned a great approach from Lucy Punch. Don’t let the camera cut if you didn’t get what you wanted out of a take. It’s much quicker to do two or three runs in one take than to cut and do two or three takes.

We meet Abs, Mal’s ex and JJ’s mum, played by Harriet Webb, tell us about her character and the relationship between her and Mal?

Mal and Abs clearly seemed to have tried to take on too much when they were too young. But they seem to have pretty much put most of their regrets and mistakes behind them, though some things kind of float past the surface occasionally. They both love and care for each other and Ned and don’t use parenthood as a weapon against each other. I think their future will be brighter than their past and a beautiful friendship is on the cards for them.

What parenting advice would Mal live by?

I think Mal’s parenting advice would use a gardening analogy. Tend to your garden as best as you can. Different plants thrive in different seasons and different terrains. Don’t fight against nature and never compare with others. The grass isn’t greener on the other side.

The series concludes with the teens getting ready for their high school prom, what do you remember from your high school prom?

I can remember from the day of my prom being one of the first kids with a mobile phone. And even though I had no credit on the phone I felt like I had some ‘street cred’

That was until my mum phoned me to tell me I’m grounded because the school had called her and told them that I hadn’t finished loads of my GCSE course work. I missed my prom and I blame technology.

What can viewers expect to see from this series?

We can expect to see one of the best comedies in recent history go from strength to strength.

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