Amandaland star Lucy Punch reveals future hopes for acclaimed Motherland spin-off

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A truly well-developed character—whether funny, sad, or a mix of both—feels immediately familiar because we all know someone like them in real life. Most of us recognize a David Brent, and anyone who works in television has likely encountered an Alan Partridge. These characters are both appealing and frustrating, driven by a combination of confidence, a tendency to boast, and a knack for undermining their own success.

Amanda Hughes, previously known as the captivating and somewhat mischievous character in Motherland, now has her own show where she’s striving for greater social status. But who is the woman behind the persona? Lucy Punch, who earned a Bafta nomination for her performance in the first series of Amandaland, likely knows best.

According to Punch, the character of Amanda feels relatable because she’s inspired by many different people she’s met. Amanda isn’t a simple stereotype; she’s complex, with both charming and frustrating qualities. Punch believes making her too one-dimensional wouldn’t be believable – a person that extreme wouldn’t have any friends or be able to navigate life.

The actress was asked if she saw herself in the character she played. She replied that she shares the character’s optimism and ability to find good in any situation, but hopes she’s more self-aware and less arrogant. When asked if she liked the character, she said she did, describing her as someone who works hard, isn’t afraid of failure, and simply wants to live life to the fullest.

Punch isn’t the only one from the show recognized by the Baftas. She’s nominated for best comedy actress alongside her co-stars Philippa Dunne and Jennifer Saunders (who were in the Christmas special), and the show itself is also up for an award.

Now that the show is back for a second series on BBC One, she believes its quick success comes down to the quality of the writing. It’s similar to the style of ‘Motherland,’ with scripts that are very focused and give each character a distinct and recognizable voice.

Do the actors ever change the script? Not really. While they might make small adjustments, the jokes are so well-written and delivered quickly that they generally stick to the original lines.

Joanna Lumley returns as Felicity, Amanda’s often-careless mother, and delivers a particularly memorable performance, hinting at a hidden sensitivity. Creator Punch emphasizes that the show’s characters must grow and develop to stay engaging and relatable, ensuring the series continues as long as audiences enjoy it.

Devon Punch grew up in London as an only child, with both parents working in the creative industries – her mother in marketing and her father in advertising. She discovered her passion for acting through school productions and summer programs with the National Youth Theatre. She fondly remembers starting her career with small roles, including one alongside Jennifer Saunders, whose show Absolutely Fabulous she adored. While she did meet Saunders, she admits she was too shy to really talk to her.

She currently lives in California with her partner, artist Dinos Chapman, and their two children. Interestingly, neither of her kids seem to share their parents’ artistic interests. She says her youngest is too young to notice, and her older son isn’t particularly interested – which she actually prefers.

Having her own successful comedy show in Britain is a great benefit for Punch, as it brings her back to the UK for filming. She says she doesn’t feel truly at home in the United States and feels a sense of relief when she returns to Britain. While she sometimes misses out on current cultural trends because she’s not here all the time, she strongly identifies as British and feels connected to the people, the way of life, and the British sense of humour.

Given her recent achievements and the demands of managing family across the Atlantic, you might expect Punch to be more careful about the roles she accepts, but she finds the idea amusing. She’s in a unique and fortunate position right now. She’s always needed to work to support herself and loves her job, so success simply allows her a little more flexibility in choosing future projects. However, she emphasizes that acting is a competitive field, and while some highly anticipated roles fall flat, smaller projects can sometimes lead to bigger opportunities.

When Punch first read the script for what would become Amandaland, did it seem like a large undertaking or a small one? He laughs and replies, “It felt truly unique. I never expected to still be involved after a decade, but the initial script was fantastic, and the actors were amazing. And now, here we are!”

Philippa Dunne – Anne Flynn actress

Interview by Huw Fullerton

Amandaland is a major contender at this year’s Bafta Television Awards, with nominations for three actresses – including you, Lucy Punch, and Jennifer Saunders. When you initially agreed to a small part in Motherland, did you ever anticipate this level of success?

It’s been ten years since then! I never would have predicted it. In the pilot for ‘The Motherland,’ I only had a few lines, and I did my best with them, not knowing what would happen next. Even when the opportunity came to return for ‘Amandaland,’ I really hoped it would happen because I felt a special connection between my character and Lucy’s.

You’re also starring in a new, intense drama series this week called ‘Believe Me’ on ITV1 (Sunday and Monday at 9pm). Do you find it more challenging to create comedy compared to drama?

I think comedy is actually judged more harshly than other genres. It’s expected to be consistently hilarious, while dramas are allowed to develop and have ups and downs. People don’t give comedies much of a chance – if you don’t get a big laugh right away, especially in the first scene of a new show, it’s an uphill battle.

Holly Walsh – Co-creator and writer

Interview by Huw Fullerton

Amandaland has a huge number of Bafta nominations. How do you feel?

I’m incredibly relieved and thrilled, especially for our cast who received nominations. I truly adore them all, and they absolutely deserve this recognition for their outstanding work.

You used to perform stand-up comedy on stage. What made you decide to start working behind the scenes instead?

When I performed stand-up, I often felt limited by what I could joke about – it didn’t always feel authentic to me. As a comedian, you’re very aware of the image you’re projecting. But with shows like Motherland or Amandaland, I have the freedom to write humor for characters completely different from myself.

Do you think that’s something other sitcom writers feel?

There’s a current trend of writers also acting in sitcoms, but our show takes a different approach. We’re a team of writers who write for a separate group of actors – we don’t perform ourselves. I think this is ideal. It makes sense to let experts focus on what they do best – allowing us to write, them to act, and ultimately create something fantastic together.

Authors

Caroline Frost

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2026-05-04 19:56