Comedy legend Jennifer Saunders has addressed the future of the iconic sitcom Absolutely Fabulous, as she prepares for a major on-screen reunion with her long-time collaborator Joanna Lumley.
The Door Closes on an Ab Fab Comeback
Speaking to The Times, Saunders, 67, confirmed that a full-scale return for the beloved series is unlikely. The creator and star cited the significant energy required and the advancing ages of the central duo as primary factors. "We're quite old. I'm 67, she's 79. It takes a lot of energy to do something like that," Saunders admitted, referencing herself and Lumley.
The show, which Saunders created, wrote, and starred in, first aired in 1992. It followed the chaotic lives of fashion publicist Edina Monsoon and magazine editor Patsy Stone, played by Lumley, achieving iconic status across five series and a 2016 movie. The last regular episode aired in 2004.
A Festive Reunion in Amandaland
While an Ab Fab revival seems off the table, fans have a delightful consolation. The comedy pair are set to share the screen for the first time in a television role in three decades for a Christmas special of Amandaland, a spin-off from the hit series Motherland.
In the special, Lumley reprises her role as the wicked mother Felicity, while Saunders joins the cast as her sister, Joan. Saunders expressed her enthusiasm for the part, praising the script's quality. "I read the script and I was like, this is it. This is great... Proper character jokes and funny performances, plenty of falling over. I think it's just terrific," she said.
Lead actress Lucy Punch, who plays the titular Amanda, added: "The Christmas special is going to be an absolute cracker."
From Sketch to Smash Hit
The origins of Absolutely Fabulous trace back to a sketch on French & Saunders. When Dawn French could not commit to another series, Saunders developed the idea into a sitcom with help from friend Ruby Wax. It was Wax who suggested Joanna Lumley for the role of Patsy Stone, a casting that nearly didn't happen due to initial uncertainties between the two actresses.
The show's path wasn't entirely smooth. A BBC comedy executive initially dismissed the pilot, stating he "didn't find drunk women funny." However, a positive audience reaction and endorsement from comedian Ben Elton, who called it "the future of comedy," secured its future.
The duo's partnership remains a powerful force in British entertainment. Earlier this year, they sent fans into a frenzy with a spectacular reunion at the Burberry show during London Fashion Week, sitting front row alongside figures like Elton John and Naomi Campbell.
