BBC Ludwig star Anna Maxwell Martin says people avoid her after ex-husband's death

Anna Maxwell Martin has opened up on the devastating impact of her ex-husband Roger Michell's death, saying that some people in her life have 'cocked up' in how they have treated her

Anna Maxwell Martin, star of Ludwig, has sadly shared that people would avoid her following the tragic loss of her ex-husband. The 47 year old actress, renowned for her roles in Motherland and Line of Duty, has spoken out about the heartbreaking aftermath of director Roger Michell's death at the age of 65 in 2021.

Anna started a relationship with the Notting Hill director in 2004, and they got married in 2010, despite their 20-year age gap. The couple welcomed daughters Maggie, 15, and Nancy, 13, but announced their separation in 2020.

The following year, Roger tragically passed away, and Anna discussed the impact his sudden death had on their family in an interview with The Sunday Times. The actress, currently starring in the BBC comedy Ludwig, confessed that navigating grief was challenging as she felt some acquaintances avoided her and her daughters after his death.

Anna expressed that some friends had "cocked up" by not showing empathy towards Roger's grieving family. "We make these broad, sweeping statements about, 'we're much better now,' but I haven't found that. Schools certainly aren't any better," she began.

"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," Anna explained. She expressed that people are "very bad at acknowledging pain or death or difficulty," and thought it was a "cultural thing" to suppress their emotions, reports the Mirror.

"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," Anna continued. Anna, who lost her own father when she was 24, is grateful that her daughters can see and hear their father in online footage.

"It's really important. My girls miss [their father] all the time... they can see him whenever they want. I go on the internet and listen to Roger often," she confessed.