AMANDALAND CONFIRMED FOR 2026 CHRISTMAS SPECIAL ON BBC ONE, GUEST STAR REVEALED FOR HOUR-LONG SPECIAL
Following two hugely successful series and a record-breaking Christmas special last year, BBC Comedy has commissioned an Amandaland Christmas special for 2026.
The award-winning series, starring Lucy Punch, Joanna Lumley and Philippa Dunne, will return to BBC iPlayer and BBC One with a festive dose of So-Ha chaos, alongside Daisy Haggard (Breeders), who joins for the Christmas special as Amanda’s old friend, Millie.
Lucy Punch returns as Amanda, the self-appointed queen of So-Ha, and after a chance encounter with an old school friend, Amanda ditches her quiet family Christmas Eve plans and instead decides to throw a massive last-minute party to impress her.
This could be Amanda’s way back into the high-flying circle of her ex-classmates so it has to be perfect - but she soon realises that it’s not easy organising a high-end party in 24 hours; no-one impressive is available at such short notice, so she has to cast her invitation net wider and wider as the hours tick down.
Also returning for the Christmas special are Samuel Anderson as Mal, Rochenda Samuel as Fi, Ekow Quartey as JJ, Harriet Webb as Abs, Cavan Clerkin as Daniel, Rosie Cavaliero as Claire, Alexander Shaw as Manus, Miley Locke as Georgie, Anya McKenna- Bruce as Morten and Archie Smith as Ned.
Amandaland's 2025 Christmas special broke records as it became the UK's most-watched comedy episode of the year, drawing 7.4 million viewers over 28 days. It was also the top broadcaster comedy episode among 16-34-year-olds, with an audience of 1.2 million.
Series two averaged 4.5 million viewers across 28 days and series one won Best Scripted Comedy at the BAFTA Television Awards 2026 where Lucy Punch and Philippa Dunne were also nominated in the BAFTA Female Performance in a Comedy category, alongside Jennifer Saunders for the 2025 Christmas special. Additionally, Philippa Dunne won the Comedy Performance – Female award at the Royal Television Society Programme Awards 2026 for series one.
Lucy Punch says: “There’s mistletoe, cheese straws and a middle-aged wannabe sexy Santa. We are all delighted to be back again for an Amandaland Xmas Spesh!”
Writer and director Holly Walsh and writer Laurence Rickard say: “We are utterly thrilled that the BBC have given us the ultimate Christmas present of another special - and an hour long one at that! Cameras are now rolling and we are so sure that you’ll love this gift we’ve got for you, we’re not even enclosing the receipt.”
Seb Barwell, BBC Commissioning Editor adds: “Last year’s special proved to be the Christmas tradition we didn’t know we needed, so we’re delighted to have Amanda and friends back for another one. This brilliant team have gifted us a bumper hour-long episode, stuffed with all the humour and heart you could wish for.”
The Christmas special has been announced ahead of Amandaland's eagerly anticipated third series. Amandaland Christmas Special is a 1x60’ Merman production for BBC iPlayer and BBC One.
