In a career spanning over thirty years on stage and screen, her most prominent roles include Josie Mardle in Mr Selfridge (2013–2016) and Mary Morstan in Sherlock (2014–2017).

Her other credits include Marilyn Harwood in Dream Team (1999–2000) and Siobhan in the BBC sitcom After You've Gone (2007–2008), as well as appearing in the drama series Cuffs (2015) and Safe (2018).

[4] During that time she also appeared in the TV series Wycliffe, Casualty,[4] Dream Team, The Sins,[4] Shades,[4] Doc Martin,[4] Coupling and Teachers.

[4] In 2013, she began appearing in the television series Mr Selfridge as Miss Mardle, alongside Jeremy Piven and Frances O'Connor.

[4] In 2023, Abbington starred in the four-part Channel 5 television series Desperate Measures,[8] and appeared as Dana Beckman in an episode of Inside No.

[10] She was partnered with Giovanni Pernice but withdrew from the competition on 23 October 2023, after being absent with illness from the show broadcast three days before.

[14] In July 2024, in an interview broadcast on Channel 4 News, Abbington said that she received rape and death threats on social media following her withdrawal from the show.

"[25][26] Following the announcement of her participation in Strictly Come Dancing, some social media users condemned Abbington for her comments, accusing her of transphobia and threatening to boycott the show.