Amandaland star’s family connection to the creator of the sitcom is revealed – as the show continues to delight viewers

An Amandaland star’s family connection to the creator of the sitcom has been revealed.

The BBC sitcom starring Lucy Punch, Dame Joanna Lumley and Philippa Dunne – is a spinoff of hit show Motherland.

It sees recently-divorced Amanda adjusting to life in the ‘lesser’ borough of Harlesden after being forced to relocate from her home in Chiswick.

Episode four saw the introduction of a new love interest – property developer Johannes (Peter Serafinowicz) – and fans were loving his eccentric character.

In real life, Peter is the brother of show creator Helen Serafinowicz. She wrote Amandaland and the original, Motherland. 

Before the series release, Lucy who plays Amanda, said of the star: ‘Peter is so funny and great at improvising. He brought a lot of material to the role. Every time he walked on set, he brought this fantastic energy, and everyone was excited to see what he’d do. 

‘His character is completely mad, and he’s perfectly cast because it needed someone with his big comedy energy. 

‘He has a huge presence, both as a person and as an actor, and that made working with him a lot of fun.’ 

Amandaland viewers weighed in on her new love interest Johannes as episode four aired on the BBC on Wednesday night.

He wined and dined her and showed her his impressive penthouse apartment, before she eventually decided not to pursue things.

But at the very end of the instalment she changed her mind after her mother warned her it was hard to find someone to date at her age – and her and Johannes ended up getting steamy in his car as the credits rolled.

Reacting to the episode viewers penned on X: ‘#AmandaLand That can’t be the last we see of Johannes.’

‘Successful comedy spin-offs are few and far between but Amandaland nailed it. Lucy Punch and Phillipa Dunne brilliant. Dame Joanna Lumley reminding us what a fine comic actress she is. And Peter Serafinowicz’s Johannes was genius. #Amandaland.’

Others were loving the episode in general as they penned: ‘#Amandaland laughed out loud so many times tonight! Priceless.’,

‘Amandaland is far better than I thought it would be.’,

Last week it was reported hat Amandaland has been recommissioned for a second series in a huge update sure to delight fans. 

Bosses are said to be keen to bring Amanda, her mum Felicity and friend Anne back for more.

Sources have told the Mail that Dame Joanna, 78, has been telling friends she has already signed up to film another instalment later this year.

An insider said: ‘Joanna is over the moon at the success of the show and that it’s returning for a second time. 

‘She got given more of a role in this series and thinks it will go as far as Motherland.’

Meanwhile, an insider told the Daily Star newspaper’s Hot TV column: ‘Almost five million Brits are hooked on ‘Amandaland’. It’s become a massive hit.

‘Top brass at the BBC want another series because they think it has the potential to become a mega hit.

‘They think it could soon become even more popular than Motherland.’

It’s reported another six episode run is in the pipeline, with writers already working on scripts and filming set to kick off later in 2025.

Lucy, Dame Joanna and Philippa are believed to have already agreed to reprise their respective roles as Amanda, Felicity and Anne.

The source added that they’re excited to get started on the new episodes.

MailOnline has contacted the BBC for comment.  

Meanwhile, BBC bosses think Amandaland has a ‘a lot of potential’.

Another insider said: ‘Everyone thinks it’s likely to ramp up some big awards and bumper ratings.’

The first series was produced by Motherland’s writer Sharon Horgan’s production company Merman.

Making the initial announcement last year, Horgan said: ‘We’re delighted to be working with the BBC and with this incredible cast.

‘Motherland took off in a way that none of us were expecting and it’s just so exciting that we get to continue to make this next chapter of parenthood and friendship.

‘We have new parents, a new school and new problems to look forward to. We can’t wait to get going on it.’

BBC’s Head of Comedy, Tanya Qureshi, added at the time: ”Motherland continues to be one of the most loved comedies on the BBC, and we’re so pleased we are carrying on with the story, taking the characters in a new direction and to a different postcode.

‘Lucy, Joanna and Phillipa are three of the funniest comedy actors around and we’re thrilled to have them on board.’