An actor who grew up in Bury St Edmunds will feature in a prime time BBC television show this weekend.
Abi Hood will appear in period drama Call the Midwife at 8pm on Sunday, playing an unmarried first-time mother recently diagnosed with a mental health condition.
Abi, who grew up in Bury and attended Beyton Middle and Thurston Upper schools, said: “Filming Call the Midwife was a dream come true.
Call The Midwife: Trixie Aylward (Helen George), Arlene Brewer (Abigail Hood). Picture: Neal Street Productions, Olly Courtney.
“WIthout giving too much away, the character I play is facing some serious mental health issues during her pregnancy and is not treated in the best way by everyone she encounters. Thankfully she has Nurse Aylward (Trixie) looking after her, but it is an emotional journey.”
Abi first performed at the Theatre Royal aged nine, making regular appearances in its annual pantomime from the ages of nine-16. She went on to perform with Bury companies the Irving Stage Company, Suffolk Young People’s Theatre and Bury Operatic and Dramatic Society.
After leaving school she trained at the Oxford School of Drama and has since performed at the Royal Court, the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough, Salisbury Playhouse, Derby Theatre and appeared in The Bill, as well as several performances at the Theatre Royal with her husband Kevin Tomlinson and their improvised comedy show.
Kevin Tomlinson and Abi Hood. Picture: Tony Pike.
Abi has also turned her hand to writing, with her plays Monster, Dangling and Spiral enjoying London runs.