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She was once the star of BBC primetime detective drama Sherlock, regularly watched by more than seven million viewers at its peak.
But following the fallout from her claims that her Strictly partner Giovanni Pernice bullied her, Amanda Abbington's latest role is playing to a more intimate audience in a theatre behind a north London pub.
The actress has signed up for a month-long stint in a show called (This Is Not A) Happy Room at the trendy King's Head Theatre in Islington, portraying the role of Esther.
The theatre can seat around 180 guests for the show but by yesterday just 64 tickets, which cost between £10 and £35, had been sold for the opening night – a preview – on March 26.
Ms Abbington, 52, who has two children from her relationship with The Office and Sherlock star Martin Freeman, will play alongside Outlanders actress Rosie Day, who also wrote the dark comedy which is hailed as 'Saltburn meets Schitt's Creek'.
One source said: 'You have to wonder if Amanda hadn't got herself entangled in the whole row with Giovanni whether she might have something a little more high-profile and better paid.
'It is such a shame they fell out. If they hadn't, they could have won Strictly and Amanda would be the most sought after woman in town. But she felt she needed to speak up for other women. Arguably, you have to wonder whether that came at a cost.'
Meanwhile, Mr Pernice, who was forced to quit the hit show in March 2024 after Ms Abbington had made a formal complaint to the BBC about his behaviour and an investigation was launched, told The Mail on Sunday last month that the BBC do not want him back for the next UK series, despite him being cleared by a BBC review of the most serious allegations levelled at him.
Amanda Abbington is portraying Esther in a show called (This Is Not A) Happy Room
Ms Abbington's new month-long role is at the trendy King's Head Theatre in Islington (pictured)
Ms Abbington appeared on Strictly Come Dancing with professional Giovanni Pernice, who has since been dropped from the show after she made complaints about his behaviour
However, Mr Pernice recently won the Italian version of the BBC dance show, Ballando Con Le Stelle, with actress and television star Bianca Guaccero. He is expected to return to the Italian programme in September.
The 34-year-old is currently on a UK tour called The Last Dance, which is almost sold out. He has confirmed that it will be his last tour.
Ms Abbington is best known for playing Miss Mardle in Mr Selfridge and Mary Watson in Sherlock, the BBC adaptation of Arthur Conan Doyle's iconic detective stories
Last year, she starred in a show at the Park Theatre in North London called When It Happens To You.
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