BBC comedy series Absolutely Fabulous (or Ab Fab as it’s known to many) is widely considered one of the greats. The idea for the series came from the French & Saunders sketch Modern Mother and Daughter which also saw a role reversal between the two family members.
Written by Jennifer Saunders, Ab Fab focused on Edina Monsoon (played by Jennifer) who did anything she could to stay young and hip. Equally desperate – if not more so at times – to hold on to her youth was Edina’s best mate Patsy Stone (Dame Joanna Lumley)
Ab Fab was such a success that following the series’ end fans cried out for more episodes and got their wish on several occasions. Not only were there a number of specials created in the years that followed but also a movie in 2016, which served as a de facto series finale for the show – but what happened to the cast?
Jennifer Saunders - Edina Monsoon
In all fairness Jennifer was a pretty big name before Absolutely Fabulous. The actress and comedienne originally found fame in the 1980s when she became a member of The Comic Strip – a group of pioneering British comedians.
Jennifer then joined forces with fellow Comic Strip member Dawn French, thus forming French & Saunders. The comedy duo jointly received the Bafta Fellowship in 2009. Both also turned down an OBE from Queen Elizabeth II in 2001.
Not only has Jennifer been successful in television but also in film and she has made countless appearances on the big screen over the years. One of her most famous cinema roles is the Fairy Godmother in Shrek 2 (2004). In the film she famously sang a version of Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler’s hit Holding Out for a Hero.
Jennifer is married to Ade Edmondson. The couple wed in 1985 and share three children together including singer-songwriter Ella Edmondson and actress Beattie Edmondson.
Despite sharing many laughs on screen Jennifer’s life hasn’t been all sunshine and happiness as in 2010 the 65-year-old announced she’d been diagnosed with breast cancer. Following a lumpectomy, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy she revealed that she was in remission.
Dame Joanna Lumley - Patsy Stone
Dame Joanna’s Ab Fab character was outrageous, drunk, and a little bit mad – and arguably the actress’ most famous role. She was so well-loved in the role that she won two Baftas for her performance.
Aside from being Patsy in the show Dame Joanna is also known for playing Purdey in The New Avengers, Sapphire in Sapphire and Steel, and the English Girl in James Bond flick On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.
Joanna has also presented travel shows such as Joanna Lumley’s Postcards. Her most recent TV series saw her explore the world’s spice trail.
The actress married her married her second husband Stephen Barlow in 1986 while she also has a son from a previous relationship. Dame Joanna received the Bafta Fellowship in 2017. She also received a damehood in the 2022 New Year Honours.
Jane Horrocks - Bubble and Katy Grin
Although her role in Ab Fab made her famous it was Jane Horrocks’ starring role in both the stage play and film of Little Voice that she is most well known for. For the film Jane received Golden Globe and Bafta nominations.
Aside from these two big roles Jane is also known for appearing in the advertisements for supermarket Tesco for 10 years. She starred opposite retired English actor Prunella Scales.
More recently Jane has transitioned more into voice acting roles. She has been in 12 animated films to date including Arthur Christmas, Christmas Carol: The Movie, and Chicken Run.
Jane shares two children with former partner, playwright Nick Vivian, from whom she split after 21 years in 2017. She currently lives alone after parting from actor Danny Webb in 2021. She was previously in relationships with director Sam Mendes and the singer and actor Ian Drury.
Julia Sawahla - Saffron 'Saffy' Monsoon
Unlike her mother Edina ‘Saffy’ was very well put together. She was played by actress Julia Sawahla and it remains her most well-known role to date.
Julia, the sister of Loose Women star Nadia Sawahla, also starred in Jonathan Creek from 2001 to 2004, in the BBC One drama series Remember Me, and in the BBC drama Lark Rise to Candleford. She also appeared in the Bleak Midwinter opposite Ab Fab co-star Jennifer Saunders as well as 40 episodes of Lark Rise to Candleford and also voiced Ginger in Chicken Run. The actress has previously had relationships with Dexter Fletcher, Richard Herring, Keith Allen, and Alan Davies.
June Whitfield - Mother
Rounding off the cast is the late great June Whitfield. The actress appeared in hundreds of films and television shows during her life including four Carry On films as well as Last of the Summer Wine and Only Fools and Horses spin-off The Green, Green Grass.
From 1993 to 2001 June also played Miss Marple in the radio dramatisation of all 12 of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple novels on BBC Radio 4. She also cameoed as Sister Ruth in EastEnders in 2015.
June was married to surveyor Timothy Aitchison up until his death in 2001. The pair shared a daughter together. June herself sadly died in December 2018 at the age of 93 after having moved into a care home the previous year.
Absolutely Fabulous is available to watch on BritBox. For more showbiz and television stories get our newsletter here.
