Amandaland season 2 finally introduces the 'no-nonsense' missing character we needed to meet the most — but now the strongest character in the series has vanished

I'm about to write the sentence I've been dreaming of for an entire year: all six episodes of Amandaland season 2 are now streaming on BBC iPlayer.

The Motherland spinoff first arrived on the streamer in 2025 to critical and fan acclaim, following deluded Amanda's (Lucy Punch) from Chiswick to "So-Ha" (South Harlesden).

Though Amanda is followed by doting bestie Anne (Philippa Dunne) and sarcastic mother Felicity (Joanna Lumley), we were introduced to an entirely fresh array of faces — from disgruntled local chef Della (Siobhán McSweeney) to Amanda's long-suffering neighbor Mal (Samuel Anderson).

Throughout season 1, Mal frequently mentioned his ex Abs, who is now in a relationship with pal JJ (Ekow Quartey). The friends divide fatherly duties for Mal and Abs' son, but Abs herself is never seen... until now.

Amandaland season 2 episode 1 introduced us to no-nonsense Abs (Harriet Webb) in the very first scene, confronting Amanda for pretending to run 10k for her self-filmed social media series.

Things get even more delicious when Abs brands Amanda as shallow, with Amanda desperate to keep up appearances and prove she's anything but. "Oh yeah, I love anything handmade" is a winning response to Abs revealing that she once read The Handmaid's Tale.

There's no denying that Abs is a brilliant introduction. However, I can't help thinking there's another character that should have been carried over from previous episodes but has seemingly vanished... especially as their performance has been nominated for a BAFTA.

Jennifer Saunders should have returned for Amandaland season 2 after sensational Christmas special appearance

Amandaland The Christmas Special | Official Trailer - BBC - YouTube

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Cast your mind back to December 2025, and Amandaland released a stonker of a Christmas special. With Anne's flight home to Ireland grounded, Felicity talked into joining Amanda's plans, and Mal hoodwinked into driving at the last minute, the group heads off to the Cotswolds to have Christmas dinner with Felicity's sister Joan (Jennifer Saunders).

From the moment she opens the door in a blood-stained apron, looking a little like Mrs. Lovett from Sweeney Todd, Joan is as eccentric as they come. Her stately home clearly hasn't been touched or dusted in years, with Joan fond of the drink, glossing over her family's trauma and feeding disgusting-looking canapes to her dog.

When the group plays hide and seek, it's a recipe for disaster. Amanda becomes convinced she's Mick Jagger's love child thanks to old family photos she finds lying around, with Anne sinking her troubles with copious glasses of champagne.

The group sorts its issues out, with Anne spectacularly faceplanting into Amanda's homemade pavlova as the episode closes out. But it's Joan who is the true star of the show, toeing the line between emotionally vulnerable and blissfully ignorant like it's no big deal.

Of course, this was always going to be the case when you book Saunders for a comedy job. The Absolutely Fabulous reunion with Lumley aside, her effortlessly perfect assessment of how to play every scene is what makes her a comedy great. Frankly, it was a huge mistake not to bring her back for Amandaland season 2.

If Saunders wins the Best Comedy Actress BAFTA for her one-episode appearance as Joan, I'll simultaneously laugh my head off and say, "I told you so."

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