Joanna Lumley’s Surprising Revelation About Absolutely Fabulous

Joanna Lumley recently revealed her initial encounter with Jennifer Saunders, which did not bode well for the future of their iconic show, *Absolutely Fabulous*. The actress expressed her doubts about the sitcom ever making it to air during a conversation at the Cheltenham Literature Festival with Emma Freud.

First Impressions and Concerns

In the acclaimed 1990s series, Lumley portrayed Patricia “Patsy” Stone, a fashion director known for her wild lifestyle. She recalled her first meeting with Saunders, who played public relations guru Edina Monsoon, as problematic. Lumley felt that Saunders disliked her, urging her agent to withdraw from the project.

Overcoming Initial Challenges

• Lumley described Saunders as looking like a “sphinx with a migraine” during their early interactions.
• Despite their rocky start, Saunders decided to push through, believing the show might not actually be produced.

Reflecting on her character Patsy, Lumley noted that the role has lingered with her, often influencing her new projects. She humorously mentioned that many of her characters tend to indulge in drinking, likening their behavior to that of her most famous creation.

Near Demise of the Characters

Last year, Lumley shared that Saunders contemplated killing off their iconic characters. In a candid exchange, she revealed that Saunders sent her an email suggesting they “just kill them off and bury them.” Lumley responded promptly, stating they had promised fans that they would never die.

She humorously added that if the excessive vodka and champagne consumed over the years didn’t end them, then the show’s creator likely wouldn’t succeed either.

Legacy of Absolutely Fabulous

*Absolutely Fabulous*, which ran from 1992 to 2012, garnered immense popularity, culminating in the 2016 film, *Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie*. The film features Patsy and Edina fleeing to the south of France.

Celebrating Achievements

Currently, Joanna Lumley is promoting her new book, *A Book of Treasures*, a collection of poetry and thoughts. Although she intended to dedicate the book to the late Queen Elizabeth II, Buckingham Palace declined her request. However, in 2022, Lumley was honored as a dame in the New Year’s Honours List, marking a significant milestone in her career.