Motherland star shares fate of Amandaland's 'missing' stars Liz, Julia and Kevin

BBC's Amandaland fans were left questioning where three key characters of the Motherland spin-off were as the series premiered last night. Motherland spin-off Amandaland aired it's debut episode on Wednesday night, as Lucy Punch returned to our screens as mother, Amanda. Although Lucy made her return, fans were left questioning the return of other much beloved characters, who didn't seem to get a mention.

The spin-off moves on from the events of Motherland, as Amanda relocates to South Harlesden in London following her divorce, while navigating the challenge of raising teenagers. It's tougher times for the character, who's been forced to cut back on many luxuries, including downsizing her flat and putting her kids in state school instead of private. Viewers witnessed Amanda reunite with long-suffering former bestie Anne (Philippa Dunne), who helped her navigate her new surroundings, but it left fans questioning the presence of other much beloved characters. Particularly, Julia, Kevin and Liz. Instead, Amanda is seen making bonds with lesbian parents Della (Siobhán McSweeney) and Fi (Rochenda Sandall). As Amanda starts over, has she dropped her friends in the process?.

Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, one fan penned: "Amandaland is funny-ish (it's Anne's world and we're just living in it), but way too vanilla. Could we have Liz, Julia, and Kev back instead of dull Della, Fi, and JJ? #Amandaland #Motherland." Another wrote: "There is no julia in it - hard pass. #amandaland." A third echoed: "#Amandaland Yeh, I'm missing Julia.". Fans are holding out hope for a return of the trio, but they may be disappointed, as Anna Maxwell Martin, who played the role Julia, has spoken out about whether she'd be appearing on the show.

Just like the rest of the fans, The One Show's Alex Jones was desperate to know whether Julia would be making a return. "Can Julia come and have a little cameo at least, a little coffee?," she asked. However, Amanda broke fans' hearts as she responded: "No, I don’t think Julia or Kevin or Liz are popping in.”. Despite the failure of Kevin, Liz and Julia's return, many characters did reprise their role in the spin-off, including Joanna Lumley, as Amanda's mother, Felicity. Philippa Dunne also reprised her role as Anne.

Although many fans were loving the spin-off, others were calling for a new series of Motherland, instead of a spin-off. Taking to X, on Wednesday night, one viewer penned: "Enjoyable but I kinda wish they had just done another series of Motherland. #Amandaland #MotherLand," while another wrote: : "#AmandaLand if it was a brand new series everyone would love it, it's only because we are comparing it to motherland that it doesn't quite match up.".