If, like us, you’ve just been glued to your screen watching the first episode of BBC One’s Amandaland, you might have some questions. Namely, why does Anne always forgive Amanda? And how on earth can Amanda still afford her fancy lifestyle? But perhaps, more importantly, where on earth are Julia, Kevin and Liz? Seriously.
When we meet Amanda again, she’s been forced out of her spotlessly clean home in Acton and settled herself in “SoHa” (or South Harlesden, as it’s more commonly known) and relocated her kids (now teens) from private to state school. Anne is back and dutifully performing her role as Amanda’s minion, and so is Amanda’s narcissistic mother (and she's as brilliant awful as ever). So far, so good. Only we can’t help but feel like something is missing. And that something is Julia, Kevin and Liz.
So why have Amanda’s former school-gate pals not made an appearance – and will they turn up in one of the upcoming episodes? Here’s what we know…
Where are Julia, Kevin and Liz?
So, we’ve got to the end of episode one of Amandaland and there’s been absolutely no mention of Julia, Kevin and Liz. Has Amanda lost touch with them since moving to South Harlesden? It seems that way, but there’s still a chance they might pop up somewhere during the course of the next five episodes.
We know Amanda is now starting over and, according to Lucy Punch who plays her, “she's probably had a quiet breakdown or meltdown along the way. She’s disintegrated somewhat but has galvanised herself, got a blowout, done her nails, bought a new outfit, and is bringing her full Amanda energy to South Harlesden to whip up a storm.
"She’s trying to recreate what she had but realises it’s impossible without the house, clothes or husband. Despite this, she’s doing her best and doing a pretty good job.”
Could it be a sign that she actually fell out with her old gaggle of school-gate friends? Is she “too good” for them now? Let’s face it, she always secretly felt that way.
Lucy has also said that "beneath everything, Amanda is probably terribly lonely. She’s been lonely her whole life – lonely as a child, lonely in her marriage, and now in this new world." We can think of one thing that might help: the return of Julia, Kevin and Liz.
Will Julia, Kevin and Liz actually make a return?
We’re still holding out hope that the trio will make a surprise cameo (come on!), but Anna Maxwell Martin, who played Julia, has previously confirmed that she wouldn't be appearing in the new spin-off.
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.”
However, both Paul Ready who played Kevin, and Diane Morgan who played Liz, have remain tight-lipped about a possible return. So we’re not ruling it out…yet.
How can I watch more episodes?
Amandaland is airing weekly on BBC One on Wednesdays at 9pm. You can catch up on the first episode on BBC iPlayer.
