Joanna Lumley Unveils Shocking Truth About Absolutely Fabulous

Joanna Lumley has recently unveiled intriguing details about her early interactions with Jennifer Saunders, casting a new light on their beloved series, *Absolutely Fabulous*. During a discussion at the Cheltenham Literature Festival, Lumley shared her initial reservations regarding the sitcom’s future.

First Impressions of *Absolutely Fabulous*

In the acclaimed 1990s show, Lumley played the role of Patricia “Patsy” Stone, a fashion director with a penchant for a flamboyant lifestyle. Reflecting on her first meeting with Saunders, who portrayed Edina Monsoon, Lumley admitted their chemistry was not ideal. She recalled feeling that Saunders had a negative impression of her, even urging her agent to withdraw from the project.

Challenges Overcome

Despite a rocky start, Saunders was determined to continue with the project. Lumley humorously described Saunders as resembling a “sphinx with a migraine” during their early exchanges. Ultimately, Saunders believed the sitcom might not actually air, yet they persevered.

Iconic Characters and Their Future

In a surprising turn of events, Lumley disclosed that there were discussions about potentially killing off their iconic characters. She recounted receiving an email from Saunders proposing that they “just kill them off and bury them.” Lumley quickly countered, reminding her that they had vowed to fans that their characters would not perish.

• Patsy Stone: Fashion director known for her extravagant lifestyle.
• Edina Monsoon: Public relations guru portrayed by Jennifer Saunders.

Lumley quipped that if years of vodka and champagne consumption hadn’t finished them off, neither would their show creator be able to do so effectively.

The Legacy of Absolutely Fabulous

*Absolutely Fabulous* enjoyed immense success from 1992 to 2012, culminating in a feature film, *Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie*, released in 2016. The film follows the escapades of Patsy and Edina as they escape to the south of France, further cementing the show’s cultural significance.

Celebrating Achievements

Currently, Joanna Lumley is promoting her new book, *A Book of Treasures*, a poetry and thought collection. Although she intended to honor the late Queen Elizabeth II by dedicating her book to her, Buckingham Palace declined the request. Nonetheless, Lumley was recognized as a dame in the New Year’s Honours List in 2022, marking a notable achievement in her illustrious career.