Joanna Lumley has revealed that she threatened her long-time friend and Absolutely Fabulous co-star, Jennifer Saunders, into joining the Amandaland Christmas special.
Appearing at London's BFI Southbank ahead of the episode's premiere this month, Lumley, who portrays Amanda's (Lucy Punch) mum, Felicity, in the series, said of Saunders: "Because we know each other anyway, we never think of it being on screen. The difference here, of course, is that we're playing sisters."
During the special, which aired on BBC One on Christmas Day, Saunders appeared as Felicity's sister and Amanda's auntie, Joan.
"I've got to say, when I heard the notion that they were hoping for Jennifer, I actually emailed her and said, 'If the script comes your way, do it or I'll have to kill you'. Because I knew she'd take the pants off it," quipped Lumley.
As for Saunders, the actor said that it was an "absolute gift" to join the cast and crew of Amandaland. "It was really good fun. It's really good fun just hanging out," she added.
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An episode which has received widespread praise, the Amandaland special followed Amanda as she attempted to gift her kids with a "magical" Christmas.
"Amanda (Punch) and the family head to Aunt Joan's (Saunders) country house, but the plans change when Mal (Samuel Anderson) and Anne (Phillippa Dunne) tag along and she struggles to recreate the magical Christmases she spent there as a child," reads the synopsis.
"Anne's in despair at being separated from her family, and Felicity (Lumley) is increasingly irritated by her sister's constant high spirits. Meanwhile, Mal sees a hidden photo that seems to reveal a deep family secret…"
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Appearing on The One Show this month, Punch told Alex Jones that it was "amazing" to see Lumley and Saunders together again. "They're so warm, and they're so generous. You would think it would be intimidating, and they're just – it was wonderful. And the special, I think everyone is going to love, because everyone wants to see them both together.
"It's a different dynamic. They're playing sisters. They're different characters, but it's hilarious and warm-hearted as well for Christmas."
The Amandaland Christmas special is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
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