BBC spin-off of ‘best comedy ever’ struck by disaster as entire set blew away

Filming for the spin-off of hit BBC comedy Motherland, Amandaland, was quite the breeze.

The show follows Amanda (Lucy Punch) who post-divorce is forced to downsize and live in a less well-heeled part of London, as she grapples to integrate into a different social scene at her children’s new school.

But on tonight’s The One Show, Lucy, 47, revealed production for Amandaland was more of a blast than anticipated as the entire set was ‘blown away’

Turning to her co-star Dame Joanna Lumley, 78, who plays her critical mother Felicity, as they teased what to expect on the Sharon Horgan sitcom, she said: ‘Were you there the day the set blew away?’

The whole studio, including presenters Vernon Kay and Clara Amfo, erupted into laughter as the Fool Me Once star confirmed she was indeed present.

Lucy continued: ‘We were doing a carboot sale and the weather turned and the entire set just blew off.’

After devastation over the end of Motherland, the BBC commissioned spin-off Amandaland (Picture: BBC/Merman)

However, production did not go entirely to plan (Picture: BBC)

Despite tables ‘falling over’ and ‘bits and pieces’ flying, the two actors perservered and continued with filming, like the champs they are.

In Amandaland, Amanda and Felicity’s relationship ‘based on backhanded compliments’ changes as they become toxically co-dependent, while Amanda’s minon Anne (Philippa Dunne) is also roped back into her chaotic life.

The six-episode spin-off also previously shared the fresh set of characters that will populate Amanda’s topsy-turvy world filled with ‘modern motherhood horrors like teenage drinking, fake Instagram accounts and eco-anxiety’.

Gavin and Stacey star Samuel Anderson plays Mal and the Derry Girls actor Siobhan McSweeney joins as Della.

Lucy revealed the ‘entire set blew away’ while they filmed car boot sale scenes (Picture: BBC)

Lucy said they kept calm and carried on with the filming (Picture: BBC/Merman/Natalie Seery)

They are joined by Rochenda Sandall (Line of Duty) as Fi, Ekow Quartey (Trying) as JJ and Peter Serafinowicz (The Gentlemen) as Johannes.

However, Motherland’s lead star Anna Maxwell Martin, who played Julia, previously confirmed she would not make a cameo in the new show.

When The One Show host Alex Jones asked: ‘Can Julia come and have a little cameo at least, a little coffee?’ Anna replied: ‘No, I don’t think Julia or Kevin or Liz are popping in,’ Anna replied.

This also rules out an appearance from Liz actor Diane Morgan and Paul Ready, who played Julia’s friend Kevin.

Anna previously confirmed she would not be making a cameo in the spin-off (Picture: BBC/Delightful Industries/Merman/Colin Hutton)

Motherland was axed in March after three seasons and two Christmas specials. It first aired in 2016 and won the Bafta for best scripted comedy in 2022.

Devastated fans took to X at the time, with @Sophiedt79 fuming: ‘@BBC Hey, BBC! What the heck are you doing cancelling #motherland one of the best shows ever! I can’t believe it! Please reconsider!’

@Victoria_Vol added: ‘Not a good start to the Easter weekend to discover that @bbccomedy @bbc have axed the brilliant #Motherland. One of the best comedies of the past decade. Why oh why would someone deem this a good decision.’
The One Show airs from 7pm on BBC One and iPlayer.

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