Dame Joanna Lumley reveals her vegetarian Christmas plans: “Wouldn’t it be lovely if we didn’t kill things at Christmas?”

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Joanna Lumley and Lucy Punch initially appeared as mother and daughter in the 2004 movie, Ella Enchanted. Two decades later, they’re reunited on screen – Punch as the ambitious Amanda, and Lumley as her delightfully memorable mother, Felicity. They first played this mother-daughter duo in the series Motherland, and are now continuing their roles in the spin-off, Amandaland.

Lucy, what were your first impressions of Joanna?

We worked together on ‘Ella Enchanted’ playing the villainous stepmother and stepsister, then again on ‘Motherland,’ which was a great experience. It’s been a while, and I’ve changed a lot, but Joanna is still the same – incredibly smart and funny. She has a way of charming everyone, and that’s so important in comedy. Her energy is just contagious!

Joanna, what have you learnt working with Lucy?

I have so much respect for Lucy. I remember when she played my daughter on the show, though I don’t think the producers even realized that’s what happened. She’s really come into her own as an actress. A lot of us actors could be swapped out for each other, but Lucy always stands out – she brings a special something to her performances.

What are your fondest memories of Christmas growing up?

We grew up in warm climates and never experienced snow, but my mother would create a wintery effect by sticking cotton balls to the windows to look like snowflakes. I was in Malaysia when the Disney movie Alice in Wonderland came out, and I received an Alice doll as a gift. It was stunning – I can still picture it vividly, with its yellow hair, hair band, blue dress, and little white apron. It’s amazing how clearly we remember things we’ve seen.

What gift would you buy each other for Christmas?

I’d get something small, simple, and nice, like a really tiny book. Joanna appreciates little gifts.

Any special present you’d each like to unwrap?

We were shooting a dinner scene yesterday with a gorgeous table setting. The props assistant, Harry, had to light and extinguish the candles after each take to keep them at the right height. And he used a tiny flamethrower to do it! It was amazing – I immediately added it to my list of things I need to own.

I’m overwhelmed just thinking about all the presents I need to get for my kids, who are 10 and 3. I honestly don’t want anything for myself this year – just pay it forward, if you’re thinking of me. That’s so like Amanda, isn’t it?

What will Christmas look like for you this year?

I’m a vegetarian, so I enjoy all the side dishes at Christmas – things like roast potatoes and brussels sprouts with chestnuts. I just don’t eat the main course. It would be wonderful if we could celebrate Christmas as a time for life and birth, instead of focusing on taking lives.

Amandaland is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

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2025-12-08 20:43