The Christmas special of Amandaland, which aired on BBC iPlayer and BBC One, has taken the UK’s top spot for comedies in 2025 so far with an audience of 7.4 million across 28 days.
The latest 28-day viewing data also confirms it was the number one broadcaster comedy for 16-34s with 1.2 million.
The Amandaland Christmas Special was the second highest rated show in the market (broadcaster & SVOD) on Christmas Day, behind The Scarecrows’ Wedding (8.7 million).
Alongside returning cast Lucy Punch, Joanna Lumley, Philippa Dunne and Samuel Anderson, the seasonal special welcomed Jennifer Saunders as Aunt Joan, the sister of Felicity (Joanna Lumley). It was the first scripted on-screen sitcom reunion for Jennifer and Joanna since Absolutely Fabulous.
BBC Chief Content Officer, Kate Phillips, says: “It’s remarkable to think that Amanda’s move to SoHa only happened last year and yet in such a short space of time it has become the mother of all comedies, taking the number one spot for 2025. We are really proud of this iconic show.”
Co-writer and creator Holly Walsh and co-writer Laurence Rickard say: "We are delighted to see a sitcom find such a large audience, and even more delighted that it’s the one we wrote. We felt truly honoured to have been asked for a Christmas Special and are touched that so many people made it a part of their festivities. Huge thanks to our fantastic cast and crew for bringing the show to life.”
Series two will return to BBC iPlayer and BBC One this year.
Amandaland, produced by Merman, was created by Sharon Horgan (Bad Sisters, Catastrophe), Holly Walsh (Motherland, The Other One), Helen Serafinowicz (Motherland, Nova Jones), and Barunka O'Shaughnessy (Breeders, Motherland). It was written by Holly Walsh and Laurence Rickard (Ghosts, Yonderland) and directed by David Sant. It was produced by Arnold Widdowson.
