Amanda Abbington is reportedly returning to television in the second series of Apple TV+'s detective thriller "Down Cemetery Road." The actress, 52, has been largely absent from screens since her exit from "Strictly Come Dancing" in 2023.
The series, based on the work of "Slow Horses" writer Mick Herron, will feature Abbington alongside returning cast members Emma Thompson, who reprises her role as private investigator Zoë Boehm and serves as executive producer, and Ruth Wilson as Sarah Trafford.
The plot for the second season is described as following Boehm and Trafford as they investigate the death of a woman who fell in front of a train. What begins as a seemingly straightforward case evolves into a complex investigation into the world of black market antiquities, ultimately leading them to confront a serial killer.
Abbington's role in the new series marks a significant professional step following a challenging period. She left "Strictly Come Dancing" midway through its 2023 season, citing "unnecessary, cruel and mean behaviour" from professional dancer Giovanni Pernice. Pernice denied the allegations, and a BBC investigation in September did not uphold claims of physical aggression or threatening behavior. While complaints regarding verbal bullying and harassment led the BBC to issue an apology, Pernice expressed satisfaction that the report found no evidence of threatening or abusive conduct.
Following these events, Abbington stated she experienced a high volume of public backlash, including daily death threats. She subsequently took on a less public role in a theatre production, "(This Is Not A) Happy Room," in North London. In an interview at the time, she expressed a desire to continue acting and potentially move into directing, while acknowledging uncertainty about public perception.
Abbington's most recent television drama was the 2023 thriller "Desperate Measures." Representatives for the actress have been contacted for comment regarding her casting in "Down Cemetery Road."
