Gillian Anderson took to Instagram to introduce her new pet dog to her friends and family. Gillian, who already has a French Bulldog named Nelson, captioned an adorable photo of herself cuddling up to her new dog, “Meet my new gf Stella,” a name that also happens to be the moniker of her character in The Fall, a 2013 crime thriller series she co-starred in with Fifty Shades of Grey’s Jamie Dornan.

She has broken her social media silence following rumours of her shocking breakup from four-year partner Peter Morgan.

Fans flocked to the touching social media post, which received thousands of likes and comments in a couple of hours.

Gillian and Peter were originally linked in 2016 after attending a party in New York to promote The Crown, when she was overheard telling pals they were dating. They’ve been seen at a lot of events together since then, and they’ve walked numerous red carpets as a couple.

While their affair has always been kept under wraps, the actor talked to The Times about it in January, explaining why the couple opted not to live together. She also spoke to Harper’s Bazaar in November on what it was like to collaborate on The Crown.

“For our own sanity, and actually for the benefit of the relationship, we had very clear boundaries,” she told Harper’s Bazaar. “I am not going to comment on the script, but you are not allowed to comment on the performance!”

“I’m pretty good at compartmentalizing in my life, period,” she added. “I think I learnt that quite young, being a young mother, in a really intense TV series where it was either full on, on set, or I was in my trailer having to shut the door and no longer be that person but be Mum.”

The couple, who had never lived together, fell in love in 2016, informing pals at a New York party where they were promoting The Crown that they were in a relationship. Despite the breakup, they are known to be good friends.

The star’s fans reacted positively to the adorable photo, with one writing, “I’m so happy for you. Can we get some Nelson and Stella holiday outfit pics pretty please?”

A second person said, “Super cute,” whilst a third added: “Awwww she seems so sweet and soft! Enjoy that little bundle of joy! More pics of her and Nelson maybe in xmas costumes?”

‘She’s gorgeous,’ one fan said. ‘And the rare occasions she breaks your heart. She’ll lick it better. Congrats on your new dog GA.’

‘She’s adorable,’ wrote one fan, while others added, ‘😍Very cute!’ ‘Beautiful 😍😍’ and ‘OMG SHE IS BEAUTIFUL!! You both are ✨💓’

And fans couldn’t get enough of the pup (which might be one of the dog breeds most likely to end up on the naughty list), with comments like, ‘❤️ Stella looks adorable!’ ‘OMG, she is beautiful. It’s really yours?’ ‘Awwww she’s a real cutie 😍❤️🌞’, ‘Cuties 😍’ and ‘She looks like part of a very comfortable sweater…. 🥰’.

The Daily Mail, which broke the story first, did not specify a cause for the breakup but stated that the couple is still on good terms.

Despite the heartbreaking separation, Gillian is undoubtedly looking forward to the holiday season and getting gifts from her children, which she describes as “the best”

In a recent Dune London video commercial, which she published on Instagram, she said, “Best Christmas presents I have ever received are probably things that my children have made. Over the years, whether it’s Christmas or birthday, my daughter has always made me a box, because she is an artist, and they are just amazing. And she puts hours and hours and hours into it and I collect them.

“And any time my boys give me a card that they’ve spent more than two seconds on, I love things that my kids have made.”

Gillian has a 26-year-old daughter Piper with ex-husband Clyde Klotz, as well as kids Oscar, 14, and Felix, 12, with ex-partner Mark Griffiths, whom she dated until 2012.

“I’ve heard that the relationship has run its course — not helped by various work commitments and family logistics (each has children from past relationships) — though they remain great friends,” said the Mail’s Baz Bamigboye.

Gillian also shared a photo of her other beloved dog with the comment, ‘I know how you feel #Nelson Anderson,’ to express how she was feeling following the rumored split.