Amandaland: Where delusion becomes a dynasty

TV review

Amandaland is the lovechild of Fleabag and Miranda, but if that child exclusively ate organic nuts and insisted on being called a “start-up influencer.”

Amandaland, the BBC One spin-off series from the sitcom Motherland, hurls Lucy Punch’s pompous and deliciously deludedcharacter, Amanda, into the new wild territory of South Harlesdenafter her divorce. Claiming that she is “so done with W4”, the socially bulletproof Amanda, in true Amanda fashion, wastes no time in rebranding the area, “SoHa”.

Written by Motherland veterans Holly Walsh, Barunka O’Shaughnessy and Helen Serafinowicz, Amandaland had some serious stilettos to fill. With fans clamouring for a Liz (Diane Morgan) spin-off, packed with her trademark sharp wit and disdainfor pretension, shifting the spotlight to Amanda initially felt at odds with Motherland’s satirical takedown of middle-class superciliousness.

However, this bold gamble pays off. Retaining the iconic theme tune, Amandaland grips viewers in horror and hilarity, as Amandabulldozes through relentless social catastrophe. From striking gravity defying poses to conceal a non-existent double chins to grappling with manual labour like it is a new invention, Lucy Punch is a comedic hurricane, wielding physical comedy with effortless charm.

Across six episodes, Amanda grapples with an alien world of state schools, uncharged Teslas and a dictatorless playground. Like theFrench monarchy, Amanda’s rule has come crashing down, but instead of off with her head, she’s now off on her neon orange squeaky bicycle.

While the chaos of juggling single-mum life, with her two children, Georgie and Manus, may seem formulaic. Each episode’s flawless pacing and comedic timing, like Amanda’s assertion that her basement-dwelling neighbour must collect all her Amazon parcels, refreshes the predictable formula.

Refusing to swallow her newfound social position, Amanda sets her sights on befriending local couple Fi (Rochenda Sandall) and Della,(Siobhán McSweeney) who is head chef at the trendy restaurant Shin.

But Amanda soon realises, this isn’t the high courts that she is used to. South Harlesden is less Versailles and more a raucous village tavern where snobbish middle-class nonsense receives a side-eye rather than applause.

Yet, she is not alone on her quest, as aiding her back to herplayground throne is her ever-loyal minion, Anne (Philippa Dunne). Carrying Amanda’s baggage, literally and emotionally, together they navigate Amanda’s new life from militant parents’ evenings to her “rapidly growing Instagram start-up”.

Although beloved Motherland characters like Liz, Julia (Anna Maxwell Martin) and Kevin (Paul Ready) do not feature, Amanda’s mother, Felicity (Joanna Lumley) fills this void.

In the opening scenes of the show, Felicity’s hurried entrance into Amanda’s modest home is a moment of pure comedy, as she fears thatshe will become a victim of daylight robbery in Zone 3. Their strained relationship and Felicity’s need to perfect Amanda’s every move, adds multicolour to Amanda’s narcissism and reminds us all that Amanda’s delusions are genetic.

And therefore, against all odds, we somehow root for Amanda. Herflavourless mood boards and endless hand ring lights, perfectly captures the show's comedic absurdity. Yet amidst the madness, Amanda emerges as a beacon of empowerment and resilience. As despite losing her old life, she never truly loses herself.

And thus, long may she reign!

Amandaland airs on 5th February on BBC One and is available on BBC iPlayer.