Anna Maxwell Martin felt a sense of 'financial terror' after ex-husband's death

Anna Maxwell Martin has shared that following the passing of her former husband, filmmaker Roger Michell, she experienced a deep feeling of “financial anxiety” and was concerned about how it might affect their children's emotional health.

Renowned for her performances in BBC's Motherland and Line of Duty, the 47-year-old was heartbroken by Michell's unexpected death in 2021, only a year after they had parted ways.

The British actress mentioned that her top concern is to ensure the safety and well-being of her daughters, Maggie, who is 15, and Nancy, who is 13, as she navigates an unpredictable financial situation.

She shared with BBC's Women's Hour: "My husband passed away three years ago, and we faced significant challenges in all areas of our lives."

"One significant aspect of grief is the overwhelming sense of financial anxiety that often accompanies it. Additionally, there are practical concerns regarding your children and their emotional well-being, which should be your main focus."

In hindsight, I think I was in a daze filled with fear and anxiety for quite a while, really until just recently.

The British actress appeared on BBC's Women’s Hour to discuss various topics.

Michell, known for his work on films like Notting Hill, Enduring Love, and The Buddha of Suburbia, died at the age of 65 on September 22, 2021.

Looking back on her loss, Martin explained that losing her father, Ivan Martin, when she was just 24 taught her how to be strong during the difficult time of her ex-husband’s death.

She expressed, "I've traveled this path of sorrow and unexpected loss before. I've been through it once, so I know I can gather myself and navigate it again."

"It was tough watching my kids go through that experience, but I'm resilient and I consider myself capable of handling challenges. I believed that I just had to keep moving forward and not lose momentum."

Reflecting on how her father's passing affected her, Martin shared, "When it happened to me for the first time at 24, I felt incredibly alone. I was very isolated since no one else had experienced what I was going through. I didn't know anyone who had."

(L-R) Harrison Ford, Rachel McAdams, Roger Mitchell, and Maxwell Martin attending an event in 2011, captured on the red carpet.

Photo courtesy of AFP through Getty Images.

"When it happened with Rog, I viewed it as a moment where we all needed to stay strong for the sake of the kids."

I believe that reaching your 40s as a woman brings a unique perspective. By this time, if you’re fortunate, you’ll have built strong friendships and surrounded yourself with wonderful people.

"You'll no longer be making errors in that part of your life. I can genuinely say that I had amazing friends and a fantastic support system."