Past pupil of Mayo school scoops major acting award and BAFTA nomination
Philippa Dunne has been nominated for Best Actress in a Comedy for her performance in the BBC show Amandaland.
A past pupil of a Mayo secondary school has been nominated for a BAFTA.
St Joseph’s Secondary School, Castlebar alumna Philippa Dunne has been nominated for Best Actress in a Comedy for her performance in the BBC show Amandaland.
She plays Anne Flynn, a friend of the title character Amanda played by Lucy Punch who is nominated for the same award. Jennifer Saunders is also nominated in this category for her role in Amandaland, which is a spin-off of popular sitcom Motherland.
Dunne, a native of Dublin raised in Castlebar, has been receiving plaudits for her role in the show and was among the winners at the Royal Television Society (RTS) Awards last night, winning the RTS Award for Comedy Performance – Female for her role in Amandaland.
Praising Dunne's performance, the RTS judges said: "She makes an immediate impact the moment she arrives on screen."
"The comedic ability she brings to this show is extraordinary," they added.
Dunne’s former school wished her the best for the BAFTA awards ceremony in a post on social media.
“Wishing the very best of luck to Philippa Dunne on her BAFTA nomination for Amandaland!
"A past pupil of St. Joseph’s, Castlebar, we are incredibly proud of her achievements and this well-deserved recognition of her talent and hard work."
The 2026 TV Baftas will take place on 10 May 2026 hosted by comedian and actor Greg Davies taking over hosting duties.
