Anna Maxwell Martin reveals friends crossed the road to avoid her and her kids after ex-husband Roger Michell’s death and says it’s ‘odd’ that ‘people are very bad at acknowledging pain’

Anna Maxwell Martin has opened up on the aftermath of the sudden death of her ex-husband Roger Michell in 2021.

The actress, 47, met the late Notting Hill director in 2004 and they went on to tie the knot in 2010, welcoming two daughters together, Maggie, 15, and Nancy, 13.

They announced their separation in 2020, before Roger passed away the following year at the age of 65. 

Speaking to The Sunday Times, Anna revealed that her and her daughters’ grief was compounded by the lack of empathy from others.

The Line Of Duty star explained that acquaintances crossed the road to avoid them and avoided talking about Roger’s death, saying she felt ‘sorry’ for them and saying they had ‘cocked up’ by not showing any sensitivity.

The actress, 47, met the late Notting Hill director in 2004 and they went on to tie the knot in 2010, welcoming two daughters together, Maggie, 15, and Nancy, 13 (pictured with Roger in 2013)

They announced their separation in 2020, before Roger passed away the following year at the age of 65 (pictured September 2021)

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.

‘And then there are those who talk to me as if nothing’s happened. We’ve experienced a whole load of that.  The girls — thank God — are very deft at processing it, so they will bring their daddy into conversation, but even members of Roger’s generation, people my age, can’t have [his death] mentioned.’

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’ve cocked up. I know you’re scared but it’s about showing care, saying to someone, “How are you? Was that difficult? How are you feeling?”‘

Anna – who lost her own father, Ivan, when she was 24 years old – stressed the value of talking about a lost loved one after they’ve gone, calling it ‘so important. I know — but I still want to hear — that Roger was important to people and an incredibly talented person.’

She added how vital it had been for her daughters to be able to still watch the huge amount of archive footage of their dad. 

She said: ‘It’s really important. With my dad I forgot very quickly what he sounded like, then after 20 years I found a recording and heard his voice again. It was a shock and really hard. 

‘My girls miss [their father] all the time but they won’t have that “Oh my God!” moment — they can see him whenever they want. I go on the internet and listen to Roger often.’ 

Speaking to The Sunday Times , Anna revealed that her and her daughters’ grief was compounded by the lack of empathy from others (pictured in 2022)

The Line Of Duty star explained that acquaintances crossed the road to avoid them and avoided talking about Roger’s death, saying she felt ‘sorry’ for them and saying they had ‘cocked up’ by not showing any sensitivity (pictured with Roger in 2008)

 Anna – who lost her own father, Ivan, when she was 24 years old – stressed the value of talking about a lost loved one after they’ve gone (pictured in 2022)

Anna has been dating millionaire record boss Ferdy Unger-Hamilton, 52, since 2022 and described him as ‘very sensible, rocklike, level and practical’ (pictured in 2017)

Anna has been dating millionaire record boss Ferdy Unger-Hamilton, 52, since 2022 and described him as ‘very sensible, rocklike, level and practical’.

The Motherland star is set to return to the stage this summer in The Constituent at London’s Old Vic theatre.

Anna is starring opposite James Corden in his first West End role in over a decade, last starring in One Man, Two Guvnors in 2011.

She stars as a hard-working opposition backbencher whose ideals of public office are tested by the demands of a man in crisis, played by James. 

The duo will star in the world premiere of Joe Penhall’s The Constituent from June 13 to August 10. 

Playwright Joe also wrote Olivier award-winning play Blue/Orange, which Roger directed at the National 24 years ago.

Anna admitted that their long-standing connection meant that starring in his play felt like ‘a weirdly important part of my grief’, saying it was like ‘a comfort blanket’.

Directed by Old Vic Artistic Director and Olivier Award winner Matthew Warchus, The Constituent deconstructs politics, panic alarms and the conflict between public service and personal safety.

The Motherland star is set to return to the stage this summer in The Constituent at London’s Old Vic theatre as as a hard-working opposition backbencher whose ideals of public office are tested by the demands of a man in crisis

Anna is starring opposite James Corden in his first West End role in over a decade, last starring in One Man, Two Guvnors in 2011 (pictured)