How a mistaken teaching application launched a comedy legend

Cultures · Published 1 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Jennifer Saunders didn't set out to become a comedic icon. Enrolled in drama school by her mother to become a teacher, she instead found a lifelong partner in crime. From messy flats to global cult hits, discover the unlikely origins of the woman behind Absolutely Fabulous.

The path to comedy stardom for Jennifer Saunders began with a clerical error of sorts. In 1977, Saunders entered London’s Central School of Speech and Drama on a drama teachers' course—a decision driven largely by her mother, who had filled out the application form. While Saunders initially loathed the idea of teaching, the course brought her into contact with Dawn French. The two, who had grown up on the same RAF base without ever meeting, initially clashed; Saunders viewed French as a "cocky little upstart," while French found Saunders "snooty and uptight."

After graduation, the pair moved past their friction to find success in the London comedy scene. They auditioned together for The Comic Strip, a comedy club that served as a vital training ground. Their early experimental years included a "cringeworthy" double-act called The Menopause Sisters, which involved wearing tampons in their ears. They eventually transitioned to television, appearing in Comic Strip productions and the series Girls on Top, before launching their eponymous sketch show, French and Saunders.

Saunders's most enduring legacy arrived in 1992 with the premiere of Absolutely Fabulous. The sitcom, often called "Ab Fab," was born from a sketch titled "Modern Mother and Daughter" created during a hiatus in French and Saunders's career. The show centered on the chaotic life of Edina Monsoon and her friend Patsy, played by Joanna Lumley. The production achieved a worldwide cult following by blending sophisticated production with outrageous, politically incorrect behavior. The series' impact was so significant that it transitioned to American television in 1995 and saw various revivals and specials through to 2012.

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