News | Entertainment
6 Jul 2025 10:13
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Amanda Abbington thinks she and Martin Freeman have done "irreparable damage" to their children

    The 47-year-old actress has son Joe, 15, and daughter Grace, 12, with her former partner - who she split from in 2016 after 16 years together - insisted she couldn't be a "Stepford Wife parent" and would rather be open with her kids about their experiences and what they are feeling


    Speaking during an Instagram Live for the It's OK mental health campaign, she said: "I think it's unsettling if I pretend I'm this Stepford Wife parent.

    "Nobody is. I'm sure I've given them irreparable damage and they will be going to therapy because of me and Martin at some point.

    "If I can teach them to talk about it, say there's nothing to be frightened of or ashamed of with whatever you're going through.

    "Whether you get drunk or try drugs, whatever you do — this place where we live is a safe place where you can say whatever you like.

    "That's what I am striving for and what Martin strives for as well — to create a place where they're not hiding anything."

    The 'Sherlock' star refuses to "hide" any of her own mental health struggles from her children and wants them to know when she's finding things "hard" so it doesn't become a "dirty secret" to be ashamed of.

    She said: "To hide this from my children, that sometimes I get depressed or if I'm on antidepressants, what are you saying about all these mental health issues? Are you saying they're offensive and shouldn't happen? I don't want that."

    Amanda - whose four-year romance with actor Jonjo O'Neill ended in January - admitted she spent years "hating" herself but regular therapy has helped her to overcome her insecurities.

    She said: "I hated myself for so many years. I thought I wasn't good enough for any relationship, I wasn't good enough for my parents or any situation and being in regular therapy it's like, 'Yeah, I am, I'm alright.' "

    The 'Mr. Selfridge' actress also discussed online bullying and recalled how upset her son once was when he found a troll had wished her dead on Twitter.

    She said: "The idea that someone has the mentality to throw those things out to people without even thinking the ripple effect of that. It's the casual hate I find really upsetting."

    © 2025 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     06 Jul: Lizzo felt "very paranoid and isolated" and like she "could die" amid facing sexual harassment lawsuits from her former backing dancers
     06 Jul: Kanye West's Australian visa has been cancelled over his "offensive comments"
     06 Jul: Simone Ashley used to be too "afraid" to leave her house for fear of being recognised, after Bridgerton catapulted her to global fame
     06 Jul: John Cena absolutely loves fish and chips and a Full English Breakfast
     06 Jul: Gabriella Wilde describes her style as "tomboyish"
     06 Jul: Debbie Harry took drugs to avoid an "emotional rollercoaster" during her younger years
     06 Jul: Travis Kelce struggled to prepare for Saturday Night Live because he "can't really read that well"
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has been left annoyed by a couple of key factors in their 31-27 win over France in Dunedin More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Our newsroom's revealed more than 200 people were able to enter New Zealand on work visas for defunct businesses later exposed as fronts for a network of cannabis grow houses in Auckland More...



     Today's News

    International:
    The Dalai Lama marks his 90th birthday with celebrations and an answer on Tibetan Buddhism's future 10:07

    Athletics:
    Shot putter Maddi Wesche has thrown over 20 metres for the first time in competition at the Diamond League meet in Oregon 10:07

    Entertainment:
    Lizzo felt "very paranoid and isolated" and like she "could die" amid facing sexual harassment lawsuits from her former backing dancers 10:06

    Entertainment:
    Kanye West's Australian visa has been cancelled over his "offensive comments" 9:36

    Entertainment:
    Simone Ashley used to be too "afraid" to leave her house for fear of being recognised, after Bridgerton catapulted her to global fame 9:06

    Netball:
    Silver Ferns defender Parris Mason has been hospitalised as a precaution after suffering a neck injury in the Central Pulse's 65-44 ANZ Premiership victory over the Stars in Wellington 8:57

    Entertainment:
    John Cena absolutely loves fish and chips and a Full English Breakfast 8:36

    Environment:
    A kava boom is unfolding across the Pacific — but some leaders warn it's hurting families 8:17

    Rugby:
    All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has been left annoyed by a couple of key factors in their 31-27 win over France in Dunedin 8:17

    Tennis:
    Another milestone for 24-time Grand Slam tennis champion Novak Djokovic 8:07


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd