Amandaland to return with new Christmas special
And Daisy Haggard's joining the cast!
Last updated 6 hours ago
All our Christmas wishes have been answered — Amandaland is returning with a new Christmas special for 2026. It's after last year's festive instalment broke records, becoming the UK's most-watched comedy episode of the year!
And that's not all, it's been revealed that alongside cast members Lucy Punch, Joanna Lumley and Philippa Dunne, Breeders actress Daisy Haggard will join the cast for the BBC Christmas special.
Daisy will play the role of Amanda's old friend Millie. A synopsis for the upcoming Christmas special reveals: '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.'
Daisy is best known for playing Ally in Netflix comedy Breeders, which ran from 2020-2023. She starred alongside Martin Freeman.
Lucy Punch says of the Christmas special: “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 added: “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.”
When will the Christmas special be on?
Although an official date and time is yet to be announced, last year's Christmas special aired at 9.15pm on Christmas Day (25th December).
NOW READ: Amandaland: Everything to know about the Motherland spin-off
Who else will star in the Christmas special?
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.
Is there going to be a third series?
Yes — fans are eagerly awaiting the third series of Amandaland, which was announced in May 2026.
Episode one of series one, which first hit screens in February 2025, attracted 7.4 million viewers, making it the BBC’s second biggest new comedy launch in recent years, behind Ludwig.
NOW READ: Amandaland series 3 confirmed as Amanda returns to SoHa
What is Amandaland?
Amandaland is a spin-off to comedy series Motherland, and follows a recently divorced woman called Amanda navigating parenting two teenagers in new surroundings after downsizing and moving to South Harlesden in London.
You can watch series one and two of Amandaland on BBC iPlayer now.
Now check out all the TV shows we can't wait to return to our screens:
The Celebrity Traitors
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This City Is Ours
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Nobody Wants This
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Time
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Last One Laughing
Hosted by Jimmy Carr, the first two series of Prime Video show Last One Laughing have been a huge success! Before series two had even concluded in early April 2026, bosses confirmed a third series was in the works, as well as a Halloween special, which will drop on 23rd October 2026.
Rivals
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I'm A Celeb
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Celebrity Race Across The World
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Emily In Paris
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Bullseye
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Gladiators and Celebrity Gladiators
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The Traitors
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Doctor Foster
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The Day of the Jackal
Series one of thriller The Day of the Jackal broke viewing records for Sky Atlantic, so there's no surprise that bosses were quick to renew the show for a second series, before the first was even over! Although there's no air date just yet, filming started in 2025, so we could see the show return sometime in the back end of 2026
Line of Duty
Now that the BBC have confirmed there's going to be a seventh series of award-winning crime drama Line of Duty, fans are counting down the months! Filming is now complete and bosses have now confirmed it will air in 2027.
Unforgotten
After series six aired in early 2025, ITV/STV bosses were quick to recommission crime drama Unforgotten for a seventh series, with Sanjeev Bhaskar and Sinéad Keenan set to return. There's no official start date just yet, but filming did begin at the start of 2026.
Gangs of London
Following the third series in 2025, which ended on a major cliffhanger, Sky have now confirmed Gangs of London has been commissioned for a fourth series. In April 2026, the plot and casting details were announced, as filming officially got underway!
Peaky Blinders
Much to the shock of everybody, Steven Knight revealed in October 2025 that Peaky Blinders will be returning for two more series! The series will be all about a new generation of the Shelby family. The as-yet-untitled show will star Billy Elliot and Fantastic Four actor Jamie Bell in the main role as Duke Shelby.
The Night Agent
Following the release of series three in early 2026, Netflix has now confirmed a fourth series of hit drama The Night Agent is now in production! There's no start date just yet, but we imagine it will return in 2027.
All's Fair
After becoming the biggest Hulu Original scripted series premiere in three years, Ryan Murphy's All's Fair was renewed for a second series in November 2025! Starring Kim Kardashian, Sarah Paulson, Glenn Close, Naomi Watts and Niecy Nash, production started in spring 2026 and the new series will arrive in November 2026.
The Night Manager
Following the return of BBC thriller The Night Manager in early 2026, bosses have now confirmed the show will return for a third series! Although there's no return date just yet, fans are on edge following the huge twist in the series two finale.
The Morning Show
Popular Apple TV series The Morning Show is set to return to our screens for a fifth instalment with Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Aniston and Billy Crudup. Reese confirmed in March 2026 that filming had started!
One Born Every Minute
After seven years off our screens, E4 announced in April 2026 that popular documentary series One Born Every Minute will be making a return! Although there's no start date just yet, bosses have confirmed filming will begin in 2026, so a 2027 release date could be on the cards.
Red Eye
Following the third series which hit our screens on New Year's Day in 2026, rumours are rife that high-octane ITV/STV drama Red Eye will return for a third! Nothing has been officially announced just yet, but it sounds like viewing figures were very high for the first two series.
Stacey & Joe
The BBC have renewed fly-on-the-wall reality series Stacey & Joe for a third series, with filming taking place over the summer! There's currently no start for series three.
Amandaland
Award-winning BBC comedy Amandaland is returning to BBC One and BBC iPlayer for a six-part third series after two successful runs and a record-breaking 2025 Christmas special. Starring Lucy Punch, Joanna Lumley and Philippa Dunne, the show follows self-styled SoHa queen Amanda as she juggles influencer ambitions, family tensions and a Harlesden budget.
Kin
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Ann Droid
Following the huge success of series one, the BBC confirmed in August 2026 that Diane Morgan's hit sitcom Ann Droid will be returning for a second series! It's understood the second series could arrive sometime in 2027.
Married At First Sight Australia
Reality series Married At First Sight Australia will return for a new series in 2027, as relationship expert Marryam Chehelnabi joins Alessandra Rampolla and John Aiken. There's no UK date just yet.
Author: Amy Shephard
Amy Shephard is an SEO Writer for Rayo brands, including Hits Radio, KISS, Magic Radio and Greatest Hits Radio. Starting her media career in 2011, she joined Bauer Media in 2023 as a reporter before moving over to entertainment news. She specialises in movies and TV dramas, and enjoys a range of music across all decades and genres.