Anna Maxwell Martin Explained

Birth Name:Anna Charlotte Martin
Birth Date:1977 5, df=yes
Birth Place:Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire, England
Occupation:Actress
Spouse:Roger Michell
(2010; 2020)
Children:2
Years Active:2001–present

Anna Maxwell Martin (born Anna Charlotte Martin; 10 May 1977),[1] sometimes credited as Anna Maxwell-Martin, is a British actress. She won two British Academy Television Awards, for her portrayals of Esther Summerson in the BBC adaptation of Bleak House (2005) and N in the Channel 4 adaptation of Poppy Shakespeare (2008). She is also known for her roles as DCS Patricia Carmichael in BBC One crime drama Line of Duty (2019–2021) and Kelly Major in Code 404 (2020–present). From 2016-2022, Martin starred in the BBC comedy Motherland, for which she was nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Female Comedy Performance.

Martin's theatre work includes the role of Lyra Belacqua in the production of His Dark Materials (2003–2004) at the National Theatre.

Early life and education

Anna Charlotte Martin was born in Beverley on 10 May 1977 to Rosalind (née Youngson) and Ivan Martin.[2] [3] Her father was managing director of a pharmaceutical company and her mother was a research scientist. Her mother gave up her job to bring up Anna and her elder brother, Adam. She attended Beverley High School, where she appeared in school plays. After she left school, Martin studied history at Liverpool University.

After completing her education at Liverpool, Martin enrolled to study acting at London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA).[4] She added the name Maxwell (her maternal grandfather's first name) to her name to distinguish her from another member with the same name when she joined Equity.[5] In 2022, Martin appeared on an episode of Who Do You Think You Are?, and said that Maxwell is a middle name and not part of her surname.[6]

Career

Martin made her professional stage debut in 2001, in The Little Foxes at the Donmar Theatre, London. She first came to prominence on the London stage playing the leading role of Lyra in the National Theatre's production of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials.[7] She was then cast in the part of Bessie Higgins in the BBC television adaptation Elizabeth Gaskell's novel North and South in 2004, and made a guest appearance in the 2005 series of Doctor Who. She played Esther Summerson, the central character in the 2005 BBC adaptation of Charles Dickens's Bleak House, for which she won the Best Actress BAFTA Television Award in 2006.[8]

In January 2006, Martin took part in a reading of The Entertainer at the Royal Court Theatre,[7] and in February and March she appeared in Laura Wade's Other Hands, directed by Bijan Sheibani at the Soho Theatre. She is the narrator of the CD version of The Foreshadowing, a children's book about the First World War by Marcus Sedgwick, which was published in May 2006. In the same year she was one of the five leads in I Really Hate My Job, directed by Oliver Parker and, from October 2006 to April 2007, played Sally Bowles in Bill Kenwright and Rufus Norris's West End production of Cabaret at the Lyric Theatre.[9]

She played Cassandra Austen in Becoming Jane,[7] a 2007 film about the early life of the novelist Jane Austen, starring American actress Anne Hathaway in the title role. At the end of the year she played the gaoler's daughter in Lee Hall's adaptation of The Wind in the Willows,[7] a multimillion-pound production by Box TV for BBC One, and was the joint narrator (with Anton Lesser) of the CD version of Tamar, a children's book about the Second World War by Mal Peet, which was published in December 2007.

In 2008, Martin starred in the BBC Two drama White Girl[7] and with Naomie Harris in Channel 4's adaptation of Poppy Shakespeare, for which she won her second Best Actress BAFTA Television Award in 2009.[10]

From July to October of that year, she appeared with Dame Eileen Atkins in The Female of the Species at the Vaudeville Theatre in London.[7] She also appeared in a BBC Radio 4 adaptation of Agatha Christie's novel Crooked House. In July 2009 she appeared in the BBC Two drama Freefall,[7] and played Neil Armstrong's wife, Janet, in Moonshot: The Flight of Apollo 11,[7] an ITV1 drama documentary to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing.

In February 2010, she played freedom of information campaigner Heather Brooke in On Expenses,[7] a BBC Four satirical drama, and later played Isabella in Shakespeare's Measure For Measure alongside Rory Kinnear at the Almeida Theatre.[11]

In February 2011, she played Sarah Burton in a three-part BBC adaptation of Winifred Holtby's novel South Riding.[12] On 12 July 2011, she played Kay Langrish in a BBC Two dramatisation of The Night Watch.[13] [14] Beginning in September 2012, she starred in the drama mini-series The Bletchley Circle (2012–2014).[7] On 4 September 2012, she appeared in Jimmy McGovern's Accused.[7]

In December 2013 she returned to the world of Jane Austen, starring as Elizabeth Darcy in the BBC Christmas season drama Death Comes to Pemberley,[7] a three-part television adaptation of the P. D. James novel of the same name which continues the events of Austen's Pride and Prejudice six years after Darcy and Elizabeth's marriage, with a murder mystery plot involving the same characters.

In 2015, she played Mary Shelley in ITV drama series The Frankenstein Chronicles.[15] In December that year she appeared as Ethel Rogers in the BBC three-part serial And Then There Were None, an adaptation of Agatha Christie's novel of the same name.[16]

In 2017, she played Julia in The BBC comedy series Motherland.[7] The show returned for a second series in 2019 and another in May 2021. The second and latest Christmas special, titled "Last Christmas" aired on 23 December 2022, garnering wholly positive reviews from critics.[17] [18]

In 2019, Martin played Beelzebub, leader of the denizens of Hell, in the Amazon Prime TV serial Good Omens,[7] based on the book by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. In the same year she joined the cast of Line of Duty[7] during its fifth series, playing DCS Patricia Carmichael, a role she reprised in series six.[19]

In 2021, Martin played the co-lead role in Hollington Drive an ITV television drama series that began broadcasting on 29 September 2021.[7] Created and written by Sophie Petzal, the series follows two sisters, Theresa (Anna Maxwell Martin) and Helen (Rachael Stirling), and their families as they grapple with the potential crime of their children.

In 2022, she hosted the seventh episode of the sixty-third series of Have I Got News for You alongside guest stars Chris McCausland and Steph McGovern and team captains Paul Merton and Ian Hislop.[20]

In February 2023, it was announced that Martin would portray Delia Balmer in the ITV-commissioned true crime drama series Delia Balmer.[21] [22]

In summer 2024, Martin is playing Monica in the world premiere of Joe Penhall's new play The Constituent at The Old Vic, directed by Matthew Warchus and co-starring James Corden.

Personal life

Martin married film director Roger Michell in 2010.[23] The couple had two daughters (b. 2008/09 and 2010/11).[24] [25] In April 2020, Martin announced that the couple had separated.[26] Michell died in September 2021.[27]

Filmography

Film

YearFilmRoleNotes
2002Eddie Loves MaryInterviewee Short film
2004Enduring LovePenny
2006The Other ManChristine Short film
2007I Really Hate My JobMadonna
Becoming JaneCassandra Austen
2012 ACC Janet Whitehead
PhilomenaJane
2016Chubby FunnySally
2019Say Your PrayersDCI Brough
The Personal History of David CopperfieldMrs Strong
2020The DukeMs. Gowling

Television

YearFilmRoleNotes
2002Midsomer MurdersArabella HeywoodEpisode: "Murder on St. Malley's Day"
2004North & SouthBessie HigginsMiniseries
2005Doctor WhoSuki Macrae CantrellEpisode: "The Long Game"
Bleak HouseEsther SummersonMain role
2006The Wind in the WillowsGaoler's DaughterTelevision film
2008White GirlDebbieTelevision film
Poppy ShakespeareN
2009Free AgentsSophie3 episodes
FreefallMandy PotterTelevision film
MoonshotJanet ArmstrongTelevision film
2010On ExpensesHeather BrookeTelevision film
2011South RidingSarah BurtonMain role
CBeebies Bedtime StoriesHerself5 episodes
The Night WatchKay LangrishTelevision film
2012AccusedTina DhakinEpisode: "Tina's Story"
2012–2014The Bletchley CircleSusan Gray5 episodes
2013 Death Comes to Pemberley Miniseries
2014The Life of Rock with Brian PernJess HuntMiniseries
The Lost Honour of Christopher JefferiesJanine2-part miniseries
2015And Then There Were NoneEthel Rogers3-part miniseries
Midwinter of the SpiritReverend Merrily Watkins3-part miniseries
The Frankenstein ChroniclesMary Shelley4 episodes
2016RegSally KeysTelevision film [28]
2016–2022MotherlandJuliaLead role; 20 episodes
2017Tracey Ullman's ShowHerself1 episode
2018Urban MythsAgatha ChristieEpisode: "Agatha Christie"
Mother's DayWendy ParryTelevision film
2019Good OmensBeelzebub3 episodes
2019–2021Line of DutyDCS Patricia Carmichael Main role (series 5–6)
2020–2022Code 404Kelly MajorMain role
2021The IrregularsEdith DuboisEpisode: "Hieracium Snowdoniense"
Hollington Drive TheresaMain role
2022MandyEvaEpisode: "SpaceMandy"
Ant & Dec's Saturday Night TakeawayHerself1 episode
Who Do You Think You Are?Herself1 episode
A Spy Among Friends[29] Lily Thomas
2023Steph's Packed LunchGuest host 1 episode
2024Until I Kill YouDelia Balmer4 episodes
2024A Good Girl's Guide To MurderLeanne Amobi

Stage

YearTitleRoleTheatreNotes
2001 The Little Foxes Alexandra
2001–2002 The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Lucy
2002 The Coast of Utopia Alexandra/Maria/Tata
2003 Honour Sophie
2003 Three Sisters Irina
2003–2004 His Dark Materials Lyra
2004 Dumb Show Liz Royal Court Theatre, West End
2006 Other Hands Hayley Soho Theatre[30]
2006–2007 Cabaret Sally Bowles Lyric Theatre, West End[31]
2008 The Female of the Species Molly Rivers Vaudeville Theatre, West End[32]
2010 Measure for Measure Isabella Almeida Theatre[33]
2013 Di and Viv and Rose Rose Hampstead Theatre[34]
2014 King Lear Regan Royal National Theatre[35]
2015–2016 Macbeth Lady Macbeth Young Vic[36]
2017 Consent Kitty Royal National Theatre[37]
2021 Constellations Arlene Vaudeville Theatre, West End[38]
2024The ConstituentMonicaThe Old Vic

Readings and benefits

Audio

Radio

Audiobooks

Awards and nominations

Year AwardCategoryWorkResult Ref.
2005Laurence Olivier AwardsBest ActressHis Dark Materials[39]
2006BBC Drama PollBest ActressBleak House
Broadcasting Press Guild AwardsBest Actress
British Academy Television AwardsBest Actress
Gold Derby AwardsTV movie/Mini Supporting Actress
2009Royal Television Society Programme AwardsBest Actor (Female)Poppy Shakespeare
British Academy Television AwardsBest Actress
2011British Academy Television AwardsBest ActressSouth Riding
Monte-Carlo Television FestivalBest Performance by an Actress – Miniseries
2014Crime Thriller AwardsBest Leading ActressDeath Comes to Pemberley / The Bletchley Circle
2018British Academy Television AwardsBest Female Comedy PerformanceMotherland[40]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Births, Marriages & Deaths Index of England & Wales, 1984–2006 listed birth name as Anna Charlotte Martin; Registration year 1977; Registration District Beverley, Yorkshire
  2. Web site: Anna Maxwell Martin: from sinister Line of Duty cop to harried mum who makes us laugh . Iqbal . Nosheen . . 1 May 2021 . 1 May 2021.
  3. Web site: 28 June 2022 . Anna Maxwell Martin - Who Do You Think You Are - Breaking the pattern . 2022-12-27 . www.thegenealogist.co.uk.
  4. Web site: Lamda Alumni . lamda.ac.uk . June 8, 2023.
  5. Web site: 16 June 2022 . 5 things you didn't know about Anna Maxwell Martin . 2022-11-21 . Who Do You Think You Are Magazine . en.
  6. Web site: BBC One - Who Do You Think You Are?, Series 19, Anna Maxwell Martin . 2022-12-27 . BBC . en-GB.
  7. Web site: Anna Maxwell Martin - Actor . unitedagents.co.uk . 8 December 2022.
  8. News: Bafta TV Awards 2006: The winners . . 27 March 2015.
  9. Web site: Casting confirmed for Cabaret at Lyric. londontheatre.co.uk . 8 June 2016 . 8 December 2022.
  10. News: Bafta TV Awards 2009: The winners . BBC News . 27 March 2015.
  11. Web site: Measure For Measure . almeida.co.uk. 25 October 2022.
  12. Web site: "South Riding" (2011) . Internet Movie Database . 27 March 2015.
  13. Web site: The Night Watch filming in Bath . This is Bath . 27 March 2015.
  14. Web site: Staff . Stellar Cast Announced for BBC Two's The Night Watch . Vadvert . 27 March 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120315094124/http://www.vadvert.co.uk/entertainment/5140-stellar-cast-announced-for-bbc-twos-the-night-watch.html . 15 March 2012.
  15. Web site: Staff . More Details Revealed for TV Series The Frankenstein Chronicles . 26 March 2015 . DC . 27 March 2015.
  16. Web site: 2015-12-17 . Adapting Agatha Christie's 'And Then There Were None' for BBC One . 2022-11-21 . BBC . en.
  17. Web site: Motherland Christmas special review – you'll laugh, gasp in shock ... then punch the air. The Guardian. Seale. Jack. 23 December 2022. 24 December 2022.
  18. Web site: Motherland, BBC One, review: As chaotic and emotional as a family Christmas. iNews. Sigee. Rachael. 23 December 2022. 24 December 2022.
  19. Web site: Line of Duty: What has Anna Maxwell Martin been in and who is DCI Patricia Carmichael?. 18 April 2021. Metro. Cydney Yeates. 20 April 2021.
  20. Web site: Have I Got News For You Series 63 episode guide - British Comedy Guide. Comedy. 2 February 2023.
  21. Web site: ITV commissions true crime drama, Delia Balmer (w/t), starring Anna Maxwell Martin and Shaun Evans. ITVX. 15 February 2023. 25 May 2023.
  22. Web site: Line of Duty and Endeavour stars lead Delia Balmer true crime drama. Radio Times. Cormack. Morgan. 15 February 2023. 25 May 2023.
  23. Web site: Coveney. Michael. 24 September 2021. 31 December 2022. Roger Michell obituary. The Guardian.
  24. Web site: Saner. Emine. 18 November 2022. 31 December 2022. Anna Maxwell Martin: 'I never get offered drugs. People think I'm a child'. The Guardian.
  25. Web site: BBC Radio 4 – Front Row, Anna Maxwell Martin; Sondheim's Road Show . BBC . 7 July 2011 . 27 March 2015.
  26. Web site: Jones. Eleanor. 2020-04-12. Anna Maxwell Martin on being newly single. 2021-03-02. YOU Magazine. en-US.
  27. News: Michallon . Clémence . Roger Michell death: Notting Hill director dies aged 65 . The Independent. 23 September 2021.
  28. Web site: BBC One: Reg . . . 7 June 2016.
  29. Web site: Damian Lewis & Guy Pearce Lead Cold War Limited Series 'A Spy Among Friends' For Spectrum Originals & BritBox UK. Deadline. October 6, 2021. March 1, 2022. Peter. White.
  30. Web site: 2006-02-20 . Other Hands, Soho Theatre, London . 2022-11-11 . The Guardian . en.
  31. Web site: 2006-10-11 . Cabaret, Lyric Theatre, London . 2022-11-11 . The Guardian . en.
  32. Web site: 2008-07-17 . Theatre review: The Female of the Species / Vaudeville Theatre, London . 2022-11-11 . The Guardian . en.
  33. Web site: Measure for Measure . 2022-11-11 . Almeida Theatre . en.
  34. Web site: 2013-01-24 . Di and Viv and Rose – review . 2022-11-11 . The Guardian . en.
  35. Web site: 2014-01-24 . King Lear - review . 2022-11-11 . The Guardian . en.
  36. Web site: 2015-12-13 . Macbeth review – a giddy dance . 2022-11-11 . The Guardian . en.
  37. Web site: 2016-11-04 . Consent . 2022-11-11 . National Theatre.
  38. Web site: Anna Maxwell Martin and Chris O'Dowd in Constellations – first look WhatsOnStage . 2022-11-11 . www.whatsonstage.com . 10 August 2021 . en-GB.
  39. Web site: Olivier Winners 2005 . officiallondontheatre.com . . 2022-05-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180726170216/https://officiallondontheatre.com/olivier-awards/winners/olivier-winners-2005/ . 2018-07-26 . live.
  40. Web site: 2018 Virgin TV BAFTA Television Awards Winners and Nominations. 2018. BAFTA. 20 May 2023.