Anna Maxwell Martin says she was in state of ‘financial terror’ following the sudden death of filmmaker ex-husband Roger Michell and feared for their children’s mental health as they ‘walked the road of traumatic grief’

Anna Maxwell Martin says she was in state of 'financial terror' following the sudden death of filmmaker ex-husband Roger Michell and feared for their children's mental health as they 'walked the road of traumatic grief'

As I delve into Anna Maxwell Martin‘s heartfelt words about her late husband Roger Allam and the challenges she faces in navigating grief, I am deeply moved by her strength and resilience. Her experiences echo those of many who have lost someone dear, and her insights serve as a poignant reminder that grieving is a process unique to each individual.


Anna Maxwell Martin expressed feeling a state of intense financial worry after the passing of her former spouse, and had concerns about how this could potentially affect the emotional health of their offspring.

The well-recognized actress, famed for her performances in BBC series Motherland and Line of Duty, was deeply saddened upon the unexpected passing of filmmaker Roger Michell in 2021 – a year following their public announcement of parting ways.

47-year-old Martin acknowledges that his initial reaction was to shield their two girls, Maggie (age 15) and Nancy (age 13), as they navigated an uncertain financial path ahead.

I shared with BBC Women’s Hour that my spouse passed away three years back, making life challenging across all aspects.

One point made was that grief brings many challenges, such as the fear of financial turmoil being one of them. Additionally, there are genuine concerns about the well-being of your children, particularly their emotional state, which requires immediate attention and support.

Anna Maxwell Martin says she was in state of 'financial terror' following the sudden death of filmmaker ex-husband Roger Michell and feared for their children's mental health as they 'walked the road of traumatic grief'

Anna Maxwell Martin says she was in state of 'financial terror' following the sudden death of filmmaker ex-husband Roger Michell and feared for their children's mental health as they 'walked the road of traumatic grief'

Instead of saying, “She added: ‘Looking back, I was probably in a state of shock, and fear, and a heightened state, for a long time actually, until very recently,'” you could write, “She stated that she had been in a prolonged state of shock, fear, and hyperarousal for quite some time, only just recently coming out of it.

65-year-old celebrated director Michel, known for movies like Notting Hill, Enduring Love, and the BBC series The Buddha Of Suburbia, passed away on September 22, 2021, due to an unspecified reason.

However, Martin, at present advocating for her upcoming series titled “Until I Kill You,” feels that her ability to handle the loss of her ex-husband was facilitated by the passing of her father, Ivan Martin, when she was 24 years old.

She mentioned that she had traveled on this path of sorrow and unexpected loss earlier in her life. She has the ability to recover from it, so she could navigate through it once more.

It was painful to watch my kids take that path, but I’m resilient, robust, and agile, I believe, in managing life. I found myself thinking, “I must keep pushing forward.

She added: ‘When it happened to me [for the first time] and I was 24, I was very lonely. I was very isolated because no-one had been through what I’d been through. I didn’t know those people. 

When it occurred with Rog, I felt more like we needed to stay strong for the children.

Additionally, I believe that in your forties as a woman, it’s quite likely that you’ve managed to amass some of the finest friends and acquaintances if fortune has been on your side.

Anna Maxwell Martin says she was in state of 'financial terror' following the sudden death of filmmaker ex-husband Roger Michell and feared for their children's mental health as they 'walked the road of traumatic grief'
Anna Maxwell Martin says she was in state of 'financial terror' following the sudden death of filmmaker ex-husband Roger Michell and feared for their children's mental health as they 'walked the road of traumatic grief'
Anna Maxwell Martin says she was in state of 'financial terror' following the sudden death of filmmaker ex-husband Roger Michell and feared for their children's mental health as they 'walked the road of traumatic grief'
Anna Maxwell Martin says she was in state of 'financial terror' following the sudden death of filmmaker ex-husband Roger Michell and feared for their children's mental health as they 'walked the road of traumatic grief'

“In that particular aspect of your life, you won’t be committing errors anymore. I must say, I had an extraordinary group of friends and a robust support system to thank for that.

Martin shared with The Sunday Times in June that their sorrow was not only intensified but also exacerbated by a perceived lack of understanding or compassion from others during their difficult time.

In a recent conversation, the star of Line of Duty shared that some acquaintances would cross the street to avoid them and refrained from discussing Roger’s demise. She expressed sympathy towards these individuals, stating they had made an “oversight” or “mistake” by not showing enough empathy in dealing with the topic of Roger’s passing.

She said: ‘We make these broad, sweeping statements about “We’re much better now” but I haven’t found that. Schools certainly aren’t any better.

Additionally, there are individuals who engage with me as if no significant event has occurred. We’ve encountered numerous instances of this. Luckily, the girls are quite skilled at dealing with such situations, often referring to their dad in their conversations. However, even people from Roger’s generation, or those around my age, find it hard to discuss his passing.

She continued: ‘People are very bad at acknowledging pain or death or difficulty. I find it really odd. Is it a cultural thing? I’m really glad I’m not one of those people because when it happens I think — I feel sorry for you. 

‘You made a mistake. I understand if you feel nervous, but it’s important to express concern by asking questions like, “How are you doing today?” or “Did that task give you any trouble?” or “How are you feeling about the situation?”‘

Anna Maxwell Martin says she was in state of 'financial terror' following the sudden death of filmmaker ex-husband Roger Michell and feared for their children's mental health as they 'walked the road of traumatic grief'
Anna Maxwell Martin says she was in state of 'financial terror' following the sudden death of filmmaker ex-husband Roger Michell and feared for their children's mental health as they 'walked the road of traumatic grief'

Martin additionally emphasized the significance of discussing a departed cherished one, labeling it as ‘crucial’. I concur – yet I yearn to learn – that Roger was significant to many and a remarkably gifted individual.

She emphasized the importance of their daughters being able to continue watching a large collection of archived footage featuring their father.

She mentioned that the memory of her father’s voice was extremely significant to her. She found herself forgetting it quite easily when she was younger with him, but after a span of twenty years, she discovered a recording of his voice. Hearing it once more took her by surprise and caused her great distress.

They yearn for their dad constantly, yet they won’t experience a shocking realization like “Oh my God!”, as they have unrestricted access to see him whenever they please. I frequently connect online and hear Roger’s voice regularly.

Martin has been dating millionaire record boss Ferdy Unger-Hamilton, 52, since 2022. 

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2024-10-29 13:22

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