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 about the aftermath of her ex-husband Roger Michell’s sudden death in 2021.

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

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

Speak with The Sunday timesAnna revealed that her and her daughters’ grief was exacerbated by others’ lack of empathy.

The Line Of Duty star explained that acquaintances crossed the road to avoid them and avoided talking about Roger’s death. She said she felt “sorry” for them and that they were “confused” by not showing any sensitivity.

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

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

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

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

She continued, “People are very bad at acknowledging pain, death, or problems. I find it really strange. Is it a cultural thing? I’m really glad I’m not one of those people because when it happens I’m like, I feel sorry for you.

‘You’re worked up. I know you’re scared, but the point is to show care and say to someone, ‘How are you? Was that difficult? How do you feel?’

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

She added how important it had been for her daughters to still be able to view the vast amount of archive footage of their father.

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

‘Missing my girls [their father] all the time, but they don’t want 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 made worse by others’ lack of empathy (pictured in 2022)

The Line Of Duty star explained that acquaintances crossed the road to avoid them and avoided talking about Roger’s death. She said she felt ‘sorry’ for them and that they were ‘confused’ by not showing any sensitivity (pictured with Roger in 2008)

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

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

Anna has been in a relationship with millionaire record boss Ferdy Unger-Hamilton, 52, since 2022 and described him as ‘very sensible, rocky, level and practical’.

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

Anna stars opposite James Corden in his first West End role in over a decade, most recently in One Man, Two Guvnors in 2011.

She stars as a hard-working backstabber 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 the Olivier award-winning play Blue/Orange, which Roger directed for the National 24 years ago.

Anna admitted that their long-lasting bond meant starring in his play felt like “a strangely 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 will return to the stage this summer in The Constituent at London’s Old Vic theater as a hard-working opposition backbencher whose ideals of public office are tested by the demands of a man in crisis.

Anna stars opposite James Corden in his first West End role in over a decade, most recently in One Man, Two Guvnors in 2011 (pictured)