Amanda Abbington has returned to acting, appearing on the set of Apple TV+'s detective thriller "Down Cemetery Road" alongside Emma Thompson. This marks Abbington's first major television role since her public dispute with her former "Strictly Come Dancing" partner, Giovanni Pernice, intensified.
Abbington, 53, was photographed on set in North London sporting a new brunette hairstyle and a summer dress. She is set to appear in the second series of the show, where Emma Thompson reprises her role as private investigator Zoë Boehm. The series, based on the work of Mick Herron, follows events after a missing child case and conspiracy theories. Abbington's specific role in the upcoming season has not yet been announced.
The filming coincides with ongoing public statements regarding the fallout from their "Strictly" partnership in 2023. Abbington exited the competition weeks into the series and subsequently accused Pernice of "vile abuse." This led to a BBC inquiry, an apology to Abbington, and a substantial payout. Pernice, in turn, has stated the row left him feeling suicidal.
Abbington recently responded to claims made in Pernice's new autobiography, "Taking the Lead." She stated that he is "grossly mischaracterising" their experience to fit his narrative. Abbington further noted that Pernice participated in a BBC investigation that resulted in findings against him, leading to compensation for her. She has previously stated that the treatment she received led to a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Pernice's autobiography included an account of Abbington making a Nazi salute during a rehearsal, which he stated he did not report to "Strictly" bosses at the time. He also presented investigators with a 28-minute audio recording of a conversation with Abbington, in which she reportedly described herself as a "nightmare."
Following the BBC investigation, Pernice was cleared of the most serious accusations. However, the BBC issued a formal apology to Abbington, acknowledging that some of Pernice's language could be "belittling" and that his feedback was occasionally "overly negative" and included profanity. The report also noted two instances of "inappropriate behaviour of sexual banter in the workplace" that were deemed to have been exchanged as jokes between the pair.
In July, it was revealed that Abbington would join the cast of "Down Cemetery Road." Her appearance on set marks a return to a significant acting role amid the continuing public discussion surrounding her "Strictly" experience. She received a five-figure out-of-court settlement and legal fee contribution from BBC Studios, which was reportedly intended to avoid a lengthy court battle and allow her to move forward from the ordeal.