BBC star opens up on death of ex-husband and 'financial terror' during grief

Motherland: Anna Maxwell Martin stars in series two

BBC star Anna Maxwell Martin has candidly shared her grief struggle after the death of her ex-husband three years ago. The 47 year old is best known for her roles in Motherland, Ludwig and Line of Duty.

Anna lost her ex-husband Roger Michell a year after the pair divorced, but remained on good terms and share two teenage children.

Michell died in September 2021 aged 65. After his death, Anna shared that she suffered from "financial terror" and was worried about the mental health of her children.

Speaking on BBC Women's Hour, she admitted: "My husband died three years ago and things were really difficult in every aspect of our lives.

"And one of those was - there’s lots of stuff that comes with grief, and one of those was financial terror. Then there are real practicalities around your children, and their mental health and supporting them, which is your priority.

Anna and Roger divorced in 2020 (Image: Getty)

"Looking back I was probably in a state of shock and fear - a heightened state - for a long time until very recently.

"I’ve trod this road of grief and sudden traumatic death before. I’ve done it before. So in a way I could pick myself up and do it again.

"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 is known for her roles in Motherland and Ludwig (Image: Getty)

She later spoke about experiencing grief at the age of 24, before touching on revisiting death in her 40s.

Anna added: "I also think there's something about being a woman in your 40s and by then, if you’re lucky enough you will have succeeded in having the best friends and best people around you.

"You’ll have stopped making mistakes in that area of your life and I really did. I had exceptional friends and an exceptional support network."