Gavin & Stacey guest star Anna Maxwell-Martin's famous ex-husband and tragic family past
Anna Maxwell-Martin, the esteemed English actress known for her roles in Motherland and Line of Duty, has made a surprise appearance on Gavin & Stacey: The Finale. The last ever episode was aired on Christmas Day evening - Wednesday, December 25 at 9pm.
More than recently, the English actress starred in BBC's drama Ludwig alongside English comedian David Mitchell. The comedian, known for his role as Mark in Peep Show, took on the character of John 'Ludwig' Taylor, a reclusive puzzle setter thrust into the limelight when his sister-in-law Lucy (played by Anna Maxwell-Martin) seeks his help after his identical twin brother James disappears.
Before then, the actress also appeared alongside Gavin & Stacey star James Corden in a theatre production called The Constituent at the Old Vic Theatre. A mother of two, the star is very passionate about advocating for children in the SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities System) system in English schools which she calls a 'catastrophe' and opened up about the situation on BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour earlier this year, find out more on that, here.
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Here's everything you need to know about Anna Maxwell-Martin, the talent behind the registrar of Smithy and Sonia's fateful wedding, in Gavin & Stacey: The Finale. For the latest TV & Showbiz news, sign up to our newsletter.
Who is Anna Maxwell-Martin?
Born in Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire, Anna discovered her love for acting at Beverley High School, performing in various school productions. She pursued history at Liverpool University before honing her craft at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA). Her acting career began on stage, with performances in plays such as The Little Foxes and the National Theatre's production of His Dark Materials. She then transitioned to television roles, including appearances in BBC's Doctor Who and Bleak House, the latter earning her the Best Actress BAFTA Television Award in 2006.
Where have I seen her before?
You may recognise Anna Maxwell Martin for her role as DCS Patricia Carmichael in the hit BBC crime drama Line of Duty, or as Julia in the popular BBC comedy show Motherland. She has also featured in various films, such as the psychological thriller Enduring Love, adapted from Ian McEwan's novel of the same name, Philomena alongside Steve Coogan and Dame Judi Dench, and the film adaptation of Charles Dickens' The Personal History of David Copperfield.
Who was Anna's husband?
Anna was married to the late TV and film director Roger Michell for 16 years before they separated in 2020. Roger, best known for his work on the hugely successful 1999 film Notting Hill, sadly passed away in September 2021 at the age of 65. He left behind two daughters, whom he shared with Anna, as well as two other children from a previous relationship.
In an interview with The Sunday Times in June, Anna shared the difficulties she and her daughters have faced in their grief, including the hurtful reactions of those around them. She recalled how people would deliberately avoid them, crossing the street to get away, and refuse to discuss Roger's passing.
Anna 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?'".
Tragic family history
In June 2022, the actress went on an emotional journey to learn more about her paternal grandparents on BBC 1's ancestral programme, Who Do You Think You Are?. The actress wanted to learn more about her late father - Ivan Martin, who passed away when she was 24.
While researching her grandparents Robert and Greta, Anna had a heart-to-heart with her father's brother Ron who shared memories and photographs of his dad Robert, describing him as a "self-made man". He recounted the devastating impact on the family when their youngest sibling, Kenneth, died from leukaemia at just seven years old.
Ron emotionally narrated to Anna how the family gathered around the fire after Kenneth's funeral, recalling that he remembers him being "very ill". The family had tried an experimental drug for Kenneth and "things looked good", but then "suddenly he was very, very ill and died and that was shocking to us."
As tears streamed down Anna's face, Ron continued: "I can remember coming home from the funeral and the four of us sitting around the fire and just not talking." Ron further explained the deep pain their parents endured, stating: "It was their youngest child and he died in a horrible way. They didn't show it."
In the programme, Anna commended her grandparents for their strength in suppressing "that amount of pain" to remain strong for their other children. Reflecting on her journey of discovering more about her grandparents, the actress expressed admiration for them, praising their hard work and dedication to their community and others. She also shared how her perception of her grandfather had changed from her memories of him being a stern man.
