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Joanna Lumley speaks out in defence of immigration: "We don’t own anything, we don’t own the land"

"I think we should be kinder, just be kinder" the star told Radio Times.

Jonna Lumley, wearing a black top and yellow shawl, stood in front of a white backdrop.

Jeff Spicer/Getty Images

Published: Sunday, 26 April 2026 at 8:00 am

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In an interview with Radio Times magazine, Amandaland star Joanna Lumley has reiterated her views on how immigrants are talked about and treated, calling for people to be "kinder".

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Speaking with Ginny Dougary for the issue out on Tuesday 28 April, Lumley said: "A lot of people say they don’t think actors should be given the platform to say what they think.

"But if you feel strongly about something and you feel that it’s setting up a bad feeling among people, hurting them, dispossessing people who you ought to love and greet, then it’s good for you to stand up and say what you think.

"We’re all just creatures. We don’t own anything, we don’t own the land, we’re just people on the earth. And most of the people who are coming here are getting away from something that’s completely horrible at home.

"Nobody wants to leave their homeland. But if they can’t bear to live there, can’t get work, are persecuted, if there’s a drought, a famine, if there’s a war, then we have got to understand that. So, I think we should be kinder, just be kinder."

Joanna Lumley stands at a press call event. She is wearing a navy blue velvet blazer and a bright pink coloured scarf and has blonde hair

Joanna Lumley Roberto Ricciuti/Getty Images for University of St Andrews

Lumley has long been known for her activism, including as a supporter of Survival International and as a patron of organisations including Born Free Foundation, Population Matters and Tree Aid.

Lumley will next be seen on screen in the second season of Amandaland, the spin-off to BBC comedy Motherland in which she stars alongside Lucy Punch.

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Season 2 will see Punch's Amanda continuing to develop her online lifestyle brand 'Senuous', including by giving a talk at a 'careers week' event held by her son's school.

Lumley will continue to play Amanda's judgmental and overbearing mother Felicity, who was last seen reuniting with her sister Joan (played by Lumley's Absolutely Fabulous co-star Jennifer Saunders) in the show's 2025 Christmas special.

The latest issue of Radio Times will be out on Tuesday 28 April.

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Authors

Ginny Dougary

Black and white cut-out portrait headshot of James Hibbs, smiling against a lime green background.

James HibbsDrama Writer

James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.

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