BBC Comedy spins-off ‘Motherland’ & orders ‘Death Valley’

Amandaland (Source: BBC)

UK public broadcaster the BBC has commissioned Amandaland, a spin-off from its comedy series Motherland, for BBC One and VOD service BBC iPlayer, and ordered a new comedy-drama, Death Valley (working title).

In Amandaland, Lucy Punch will reprise her Motherland role as mum Amanda, with the series following her post-divorce as she downsizes her home and moves to South Harlesden.

Amanda must get her head around raising teenagers, dealing with modern motherhood horrors like teenage drinking, fake Instagram accounts and eco anxiety.

Joanna Lumley also reprises her role as Amanda’s mother Felicity, who is in denial about her loneliness, while Philippa Dunne will also return as fellow mum Anne Flynn.

The 6 x 30-minute series is produced by Merman, the firm behind Motherland, which ran for three seasons and two Christmas specials between 2016 and 2022, and distributed internationally by Lionsgate.

Amandaland is written by Holly Walsh, Helen Serafinowicz and Barunka O’Shaughnessy, who also executive produce, alongside Sharon Horgan and Clelia Mountford.

The spin-off was ordered by BBC head of comedy, Tanya Qureshi, who commented: “Motherland continues to be one of the most loved comedies on the BBC, and we’re so pleased we are carrying on with the story, taking the characters in a new direction and to a different postcode.”

Meanwhile, Death Valley is a murder mystery comedy hailing from BBC Studios Comedy Productions for BBC Two, BBC One Wales and BBC iPlayer.

The 6 x 45-minute series is written and created by Paul Doolan and stars Timothy Spall and Gwyneth Keyworth. It follows the unlikely crime-solving partnership between eccentric national treasure John Chapel, a retired actor and star of hit fictional detective TV show ‘Caesar’, and disarming Welsh detective sergeant Janie Mallowan.

Thrown together by the murder of John’s neighbour, John and Janie are an odd duo with opposing instincts, who get to the bottom of a new murder mystery each week.

Jon Petrie, director of comedy at the BBC, said: “This series has all the hallmarks of a BBC Comedy classic; it’s the perfect comedy drama caper which never forgets the funny. We feel thoroughly spoiled to have such a wonderful cast on board.”