BBC's Anna Maxwell Martin ex-husband's cause of death as she was left 'in state of shock'

Anna Maxwell Martin spoke movingly this week of her ex-husband's death (Image: BBC)

The heartrending reasons behind the death of BBC actress Anna Maxwell Martin's former husband have come to light after she opened up about the difficult aftermath of losing the esteemed director.

Roger Michell, a distinguished figure best known for his work on Notting Hill, passed away in 2021 at 65. This followed just a year after Michell and Anna, 47, had made public their decision to part ways; they were parents to two girls.

Suffering a heart attack, Michell's untimely demise coincided with the last day he was working on the sound mix for Elizabeth: A Portrait in Partshis final directorial venture that premiered following his death.

At the time, Kevin Loader, who produced the documentary, expressed his shock, stating: "We had been doing the final day of the final sound mix and then I got a call he had had a heart attack. This was his last film that he completed, and I'm glad because we had a good time making it."

Based on details obtained through his death certificate, The Mail reveals that Roger Michell succumbed to an acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) compounded by left coronary atheroma (arterial blockages), as established by post-mortem findings. Hertfordshire's Senior Coroner Geoffrey Sullivan authenticated the cause without an inquest being convened, reports the Mirror.

Anna Maxwell Martin's world turned upside down (Image: Getty Images for BAFTA)

The bereaved Anna spoke poignantly on BBC Women's Hour regarding her ordeal, opening up about her "financial terror" during those moments. The celebrated actress placed emphasis on securing the well-being of her daughters, Maggie, 15, and Nancy, 13, amidst the daunting prospect of their financial stability.

In a poignant interview ahead of her latest project, the gripping true crime drama 'Until I Kill You' set to debut on ITVX this Sunday, Anna disclosed the heartrending challenges she faced when her husband passed away three years ago.

Portraying nurse Delia Balmer in the ITVX series, a woman entangled with notorious murderer John Sweeney, Anna recounted: "My husband died three years ago and things were really difficult on every aspect of our lives. One of those was that there's a lot of stuff that comes with grief, and one of them is financial terror. And then there are real practicalities around your children and their mental health, and supporting them, which is your priority."

Anna Maxwell Martin and her husband split a year before his death (Image: Getty Images)

She further divulged the distress of witnessing her children cope with their father's death, but also reflected on her own strength and resolve during such harrowing times: "It was horrible to have to see my children walk that road. But I'm pretty gritty and pretty strong, and I think I'm quite deft, I hope, at navigating life. I thought, 'I've just got to keep the motor chugging on'."

Anna opened up about her initial encounter with bereavement, which left her feeling isolated and alone: "When it happened to me when I was 24, I was very lonely," she said. "I was very isolated because no one I knew had been through it what I'd been through - I didn't know those people. Then when it happened with Rog, I saw it more as, we've all got to keep it together for the kids."

The esteemed actress, who won audiences over with her performances in 'Motherland' and 'Line of Duty', began her romance with 'Notting Hill' director Roger Michell in 2004. Their relationship blossomed into marriage six years later, and subsequently, the couple happily welcomed their daughters into the world.