The BBC has announced the return of a number of fan-favourite comedies, including Motherland spin-off Amandaland.
The series, starring Lucy Punch, Dame Joanna Lumley and Philippa Dunne, has been renewed for its third season, having also just picked up the award for best scripted comedy at this year’s TV BAFTAs.
“We are thrilled to be heading back to SoHa for a third series of Amandaland and delighted the show has found the sort of audience that Amanda’s Instagram account could only dream of,” said co-writer and creator Holly Walsh and co-writer Laurence Rickard of the series, which has attracted critical acclaim and become one of the BBC’s biggest comedy series since 2022.
“We are already priming our keyboards to prompt AI into creating another batch of scripts and can’t wait to be reunited with our incredible cast and crew.”
And it’s also very good news for fans of Scottish sitcom Two Doors Down, which is set to return for its eighth season and will pick up directly after the 2025 Christmas special.
As ever, Beth (Arabella Weir) and Eric (Alex Norton) are desperately hoping for a quiet life on Latimer Crescent, but neighbours Colin (Jonathan Watson), Cathy (Doon Mackichan) and Christine (Elaine C Smith) make that an impossibility.
Elsewhere, “Michelle (Joy McAvoy) is preparing for the new arrival, while Gordon (Kieran Hodgson) throws himself into further education. Alan (Graeme Stevely) and Ian (Jamie Quinn) return too, doing their level best to support their partners—with mixed results”.
“It was a lot of fun putting the band back together for the Christmas episode last year, so I’m really excited to be coming back with some new tunes, which we hope will turn out just as special,” said writer and co-creator Gregor Sharp.
In other news, the BBC has also announced renewals for Black Ops, Am I Being Unreasonable?, Mammoth, Such Brave Girls and Things You Should Have Done, while fans of Not Going Out will be able to enjoy a special documentary celebrating 20 years of Lee Mack’s beloved series, which is now the longest‑running British sitcom currently on air.
“For the first time, Lee Mack opens the doors to the creative process behind the show that has defined two decades of BBC comedy,” reads the logline, which also teased appearances from cast and crew from across the show’s run and a behind the scenes look at the next season of the show.
“This anniversary documentary will take viewers on a guided tour through the funniest moments, featuring classic clips, exclusive archive material and never‑before‑seen outtakes,” while Mack will also “reflect on the full history of the series from his unique perspective, sharing candid insights, behind‑the‑scenes stories and the surprising twists that shaped the show’s evolution”.
“After 20 years of Not Going Out we are delighted to finally give a warts and all peep behind the curtain of how it’s made,” he promised.
“Thankfully we have hoovered behind that curtain, but unfortunately the warts have not cleared up.”
And in further news, there are also two new BBC comedies on the way.
Hopley Hall, which was created and written by Daniel Peak (Not Going Out, Code 404) and stars Derry Girls’ Jamie-Lee O’Donnell, follows the comings and goings at a “historic and slightly shabby Grade 1 listed house in the Northern Ireland countryside”.
“Hopley Hall follows the ensemble of staff and volunteers who keep the house running: a motley group of enthusiasts, innocents, idiots and sociopaths,” continues the synopsis.
Ghosts comparisons, anyone?
Also on the upcoming slate is Opening Up, which was created and written by Edinburgh comedy award winner Amy Gledhill (Alma’s Not Normal, Run Away, Taskmaster) and RTS award nominated writer Nic Sampson (Starstruck).
The series, which is set and filmed in and around Manchester, follows the relationship between Penny (Amy Gledhill) and Rhys, “a long-term couple who try to fix their faltering sex life by sleeping with other people”.
But they quickly learn that “entering an open relationship without a clue how they work is not a recipe for success”.
“We can’t wait to show you what we’ve been working on,” said Gledhill and Sampson, while BBC director of comedy Jon Petrie said the series “stood out to us immediately”.
“Amy and Nic’s writing is sharp, quick-witted and properly funny, full of all the chaos, awkwardness and emotional mess of modern relationships.
“But underneath it all there’s real heart, and we can’t wait for BBC audiences to meet Penny and Rhys.”
Check out more of our Comedy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what’s on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
