Amandaland's Joanna Lumley lays down the law for teens and reveals one thing to ban
Amandaland's Joanna Lumley lays down the law for teens and reveals one thing to ban
Share:
Following two memorable guest appearances in the hit BBC sitcom Motherland, Dame Joanna Lumley is reprising her role as pretentious but ultimately well-meaning grandma Felicity in the new spin-off show Amandaland. In the six-part series, Felicity’s daughter Amanda, played by Lucy Punch, is newly divorced and negotiating the next chapter in her life, as her children Manus and Georgie start secondary school.
On screen, mollycoddling mother Amanda struggles to cope with teenage behaviour, but for Absolutely Fabulous star Joanna, 78, it’s clear what 21st century youngsters need. “I’d teach them the basics: be prompt, honest, courteous and grateful,” says Joanna. “Always say please and thank you. And get them off their phones.
I know it sounds harsh because we created this phone generation and saw the damage, but they’ve become semi-addicted. They’ll feel better without them.”. Joanna, whose real-life granddaughters Alice and Emily are in their early twenties, urges parents to give teenagers real responsibilities so they can learn what will be expected of them in adulthood.
She says, “I believe in giving them tasks, not just tidying their rooms but real responsibilities, so they understand that in society, you must play your part. Teach them life skills like ironing or cooking.”. Joanna didn’t appear in Motherland until series three, but once she arrived, she quickly stole the show and called her appearance the “greatest fun”.
