You remember the clinking of Bollinger bottles and the cloud of Lacroix, right? It’s been decades since Edina Monsoon first tumbled out of a chauffeur-driven car, yet the cast of Absolutely Fabulous TV show remains etched in our collective pop-culture brain. Honestly, looking back, it's wild how a show about two aging, substance-abusing fashionistas became a blueprint for modern sitcoms. But where did they all end up?
In 2026, the legacy of Ab Fab isn't just a nostalgia trip; it’s a living, breathing career map for some of Britain’s most formidable talents.
The Unstoppable Jennifer Saunders (Edina "Eddy" Monsoon)
Jennifer Saunders didn't just play Eddy; she built the whole world. As the creator and lead, she basically defined the "hot mess" archetype before it had a name.
Lately, Saunders has been keeping herself incredibly busy. She hasn't just retired to a villa with a case of Bolly. Far from it. In late 2025, news broke that she’s reuniting with her on-screen partner-in-crime for a special appearance in the Motherland spin-off, Amandaland. She’s playing Aunt Joan—a character described as a "ball of country-living bluster." It's a bit of a departure from the high-fashion neurosis of Eddy, but the comedic timing is still razor-sharp.
She’s also been leaning heavily into theater and voice work. You’ve probably heard her in the Sing franchise or saw her Captain Hook debut in pantomime a couple of years back. She’s 67 now, married to Ade Edmondson since the mid-80s, and honestly seems to be having the time of her life.
Dame Joanna Lumley: Still the Ultimate Icon (Patsy Stone)
If there is one person who can make a beehive and a cigarette look like high art, it’s Joanna Lumley.
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Patsy Stone was, quite frankly, a biological miracle. How did that woman stay upright? In real life, Lumley is the polar opposite—graceful, kind, and a literal Dame. In 2026, she’s still a mainstay on British television. She recently took on the role of Grandmama Hester Frump in Netflix’s Wednesday Season 2, proving she can still do "eccentric" better than anyone else in the business.
Why Patsy Still Matters
- She broke the "mother" mold for women on TV.
- The chemistry between her and Saunders is lightning in a bottle.
- She made "sweetie, darling" a permanent part of the English lexicon.
Lumley has also spent the last few years traveling the globe for her ITV documentaries. Whether she's in the Caribbean or the spice hubs of Asia, she brings that same effortless charisma. She’s 79 now, which is hard to believe given her schedule.
Julia Sawalha: The Voice of Reason (Saffy)
Poor Saffy. She spent years being the only adult in the room while her mother tried to squeeze into Christian Lacroix.
Julia Sawalha’s career post-Ab Fab has been a mix of period dramas and voice acting. You might remember the whole Chicken Run controversy where she wasn't cast in the sequel because her voice had "aged," which she handled with incredible class. She’s still very active in the industry, though she keeps a lower profile than the "Big Two."
Interestingly, Sawalha has often spoken about the "Saffy" shadow. It’s a role that’s hard to shake off. She’s appeared in everything from Lark Rise to Candleford to Jonathan Creek, proving she’s got way more range than just playing the "boring daughter."
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The Quirky Genius of Jane Horrocks (Bubble)
Was there ever a character more bizarre than Bubble?
Jane Horrocks brought a surrealist energy to the cast of Absolutely Fabulous TV show that shouldn't have worked, but it did. Between her Prince-inspired outfits and her complete lack of a functioning brain, Bubble was a fan favorite.
Horrocks is a powerhouse. Most people forget she’s an Olivier Award-winning actress and a stunning singer (Little Voice, anyone?). In 2024 and 2025, she’s been focused on the stage, recently starring in Harold Pinter’s The Birthday Party. She’s also a prolific voice actress, lending her unique pipes to countless animated projects. She’s one of those actors who just works constantly, even if you don't always see her face on a billboard.
Remembering June Whitfield (Mother)
We can't talk about the cast without mentioning the late, great June Whitfield.
She was the glue. Her dry, understated delivery as Eddy’s mother was the perfect foil to the chaos happening in the kitchen. Whitfield passed away in 2018 at the age of 93, but her performance in the 2016 Ab Fab movie served as a beautiful swan song. She was a legend of the "old school" of British comedy, and the show wouldn't have been the same without her kleptomaniac tendencies.
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Secondary Characters That Made the Show
The world of Ab Fab was populated by people who were just as vain and ridiculous as the leads.
- Helen Lederer (Catriona): Still a comedy staple. She recently published her memoir Not That I'm Bitter and has been doing a lot of West End work.
- Harriet Thorpe (Fleur): Often seen on stage and in various BBC comedies.
- Kathy Burke (Magda): While she’s largely moved into directing, her portrayal of the terrifying magazine editor remains a career highlight.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Cast
People often think the cast spent their time partying just like the characters.
The truth? It was a grueling shoot. Jennifer Saunders was often writing scripts at 4:00 AM before a 7:00 AM call time. They were professionals. The "messiness" was a highly calculated performance.
Also, despite the rumors that surface every few years about a full series reboot, Saunders has been pretty clear: the 2016 movie was the "official" goodbye. While we get little treats like the Amandaland reunion, a full-blown Season 6 is unlikely in the current television landscape.
How to Experience the Ab Fab Magic Today
If you're looking to dive back into the world of PR disasters and champagne breakfasts, here’s the best way to do it:
- Watch the 20th Anniversary Specials: They captured a specific moment in time where the show successfully bridged the gap between the 90s and the social media era.
- Track Down the "Amandaland" Special (2025): Watching Saunders and Lumley play sisters is the closest we’ll get to a revival right now.
- Follow the Documentaries: Joanna Lumley’s travelogues are essentially "Patsy if she actually went to the places she talked about."
The cast of Absolutely Fabulous TV show hasn't just faded away; they've become the de facto royalty of British entertainment. They represent a time when comedy could be loud, offensive, and incredibly stylish all at once. Whether they're on a red carpet at London Fashion Week or appearing in a Netflix hit, they carry that Ab Fab DNA with them.
To stay updated on the latest reunions, keep an eye on BBC iPlayer schedules for 2026. You can also follow the official social media channels for Jennifer Saunders, as she's the most likely source for any "surprise" projects involving the old gang.