I was asked to recommend a contemporary comedy the other night to someone who doesn't watch much TV and without hesitation I said Amandaland, even though at the time I hadn't seen any of the second series. I've seen the first episode now and I'm glad to say it's every bit as good as the first series starring Lucy Punch as social climbing Amanda, now divorced and marooned in SoHa – South Harlesden.

 

In the new run she is still working in the local kitchen shop but trying to kickstart her Senuous online business and make it as an influencer. There is a superb early scene where she treats a meeting at the bank like an appearance on Dragon's Den, claiming victory and sashaying out with a feeble £3k loan and her cardboard cutout under her arm. 

 

Punch is clearly the lead as this Hyacinth Bucket for the meme generation, but there are a number of superb performances. There's Philippa Dunne as Anne, who might seem like a doormat but has a sly, sharp side too. There's Amanda's snobby mum Felicity played by Joanna Lumley – her best role since Abfab. And Samuel Anderson as supercool neighbour Mal – surely he and Amanda are destined to end up together...

 

A new addition is Mal's ex Abs, played by Harriet Webb with more than a hint of Dibley-era Dawn French about her delivery. Sparks fly when Amanda hears that Abs thinks she is shallow. Amanda tries to show off her deeper side, namechecking Orwell. Abs recommends The Handmaid's Tale. To which Amanda confirms her shallowness and ignorance by replying "I love everything handmade."

 

Great performances, great writing by Holly Walsh and Laurence Rickard from Ghosts. I hope my friend watched it – if he doesn't enjoy it i'll have to unfriend him.