Amanda Abbington was spotted on set with Emma Thompson in her first major TV role since her Strictly feud broke out again.
In July it was revealed that the Sherloick actress, 53, would return to screens in the second series of Apple TV’s detective thriller Down Cemetery Road, alongside Emma Thompson, who reprises her role as private detective Zoë Boehm.
The smiling star was seen with a brunette hairstyle with bangs and wore a pretty summer dress as she filmed alongside the Oscar-winning actress, who wore casual clothes and a gray pixie crop while filming the scenes in North London.
Amanda’s appearance comes amid massive off-screen drama following her bitter feud with her Strictly dance partner Giovanni Pernice, who said their row left him suicidal, which Amanda said is ‘a gross mischaracterization’.
The actress suffered a shock exit just weeks after the 2023 competition and was later accused Giovanni of ‘despicable abuse’ – which prompted a BBC investigation, Amanda received an apology and ‘substantial payout’ and Giovanni left the show.
Amanda Abbington was spotted on set with Emma Thompson in her first major TV role since her Strictly feud broke out again
In July it was revealed that the Sherloick actress, 53, would return to screens in the second series of Apple TV’s detective thriller Down Cemetery Road, alongside Emma Thompson, who reprises her role as private detective Zoë Boehm.
Amanda’s appearance comes amid massive off-screen drama following her bitter feud with her Strictly dance partner Giovanni Pernice, who said their argument left him suicidal, which Amanda said “grossly mischaracterizes.”
Down Cemetery Road first hit screens last year and follows the story of the aftermath of a missing child and conspiracy theories on the outskirts of South Oxford.
Amanda’s role in the show, which is based on the work of Mick Herron, author of the critically acclaimed Slow Horses series, has yet to be announced.
She wore a chic ensemble on set, consisting of a summer dress, trench coat and trainers, while holding a blue bag.
Despite smiling as she returned to work, Amanda quickly refuted Giovanni’s new claims in his new autobiography Taking the Lead, published in The Mail last Sunday.
While Giovanni insisted he believed his relationship with Amanda was good, based on friendly banter, the actress said his treatment led to her being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
After the book was revealed, Amanda responded by saying: ‘He gives a gross mischaracterization of what happened, to suit his own story, but I have no interest in getting involved with that. My focus is on progress…
Down Cemetery Road first hit screens last year and follows the story of the aftermath of a missing child and conspiracy theories on the outskirts of South Oxford
Amanda’s role in the show, which is based on the work of Mick Herron, author of the critically acclaimed Slow Horses series, has yet to be announced.
Emma appeared in action-packed scenes
Ruth Wilson was also seen on screen with Emma
‘He took part in the BBC investigation in which findings were made against him, after which the broadcaster paid me compensation.’
She was particularly outraged when Giovanni mentioned in his book how she had given a very offensive Nazi salute during a rehearsal. He said that while he could have gone further and complained to Strictly bosses, he didn’t.
He said: ‘If someone calls me rude names and makes rude gestures, including a Nazi salute (which Amanda did), it means our banter is at that level.’
Giovanni had also provided investigators with a 28-minute audio tape of a conversation with Amanda in which she told him she knew she was a “nightmare” and that she would “throw me out the window” if she were him.
The release of his book comes after Amanda received hger a five-figure out-of-court settlement and a contribution from BBC Studios to her legal costs.
She was seen carrying a bag as she walked through the streets
Giovanni also provided investigators with a 28-minute audio tape of a conversation with Amanda in which she told him she knew she was a “nightmare” and that she would “throw me out the window” if she were him.
The settlement was reportedly made in an attempt to avoid a lengthy court battle and give Amanda – who was subsequently diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) – the chance to put her ordeal behind her.
A source said The sun on Sunday newspaper: ‘Amanda’s friends and family are all relieved for her that this ordeal is finally over. It’s been a long, hard journey, but now she can close this chapter and move on with her life.
‘The fact that the BBC have compensated Amanda and previously publicly apologized really shows that they are taking responsibility for the bullying she suffered on set.
“She hopes this case will empower others and encourage people to speak out.”
Amanda seemed happy to be back at work
The Daily Mail has contacted representatives Amanda for comment. BBC representatives declined to comment when contacted.
Following an investigation by the BBC, Giovanni was cleared of the most serious allegations made against him and the BBC issued a formal apology to Amanda.
The report found that some of the language Giovanni used towards Amanda could be ‘disparaging’ and agreed with Mr Selfridge’s actress that his feedback was sometimes ‘overly negative’ and that he had used profanity during rehearsals.
The report noted after reviewing several hours of rehearsal footage as part of an official investigation that there were two moments of “inappropriate behavior or sexual banter in the workplace,” which were simply “made and received in jest” between the pair.
