Actress Anna Maxwell Martin has candidly discussed her experience of grief following the death of her former husband, Roger Michell, in 2021. The 'Line of Duty' star revealed that she faced a period of intense 'financial terror' and worried about the well-being of her two daughters in the aftermath of Michell's passing.

Michell, a renowned British filmmaker best known for the hit 1999 romantic comedy 'Notting Hill,' passed away at the age of 65. Though the couple had separated in 2020 after 16 years of marriage, their bond remained strong. Martin described Michell as her 'friend and sounding board.'

During a recent interview on BBC's 'Woman's Hour,' Martin shared that she experienced 'financial terror' following Michell's death and expressed concern for the mental health of their daughters. She stated, "My husband died three years ago and things were really difficult in every aspect of our lives. 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."

Martin reflected on the period after Michell's passing, describing it as a "heightened state of shock and fear." Despite the immense pain, she drew upon her previous experience of grief at the age of 24, when she lost her father. She shared, "I’ve travelled 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 thought, I’ve just got to keep the motor chugging on."

Martin acknowledged the isolating nature of grief in her youth, saying, "I was very isolated because no one I knew had been through it. Then when it happened with Rog, I saw it more as, ‘we’ve got to keep it together for the kids.’” She emphasized the importance of having a strong support network, particularly in the midst of such difficult times, stating, "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."

Beyond the immediate impact of grief, Martin also opened up about the lack of empathy she faced from some in the wake of her husband's death. She described encountering people who avoided talking about Roger's death, stating, "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. 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?’"

Martin highlighted the significance of honoring the memory of loved ones who have passed. She stressed the importance of talking about them and sharing their stories, stating, "It’s so important. I know - but I still want to hear - that Roger was important to people and an incredibly talented person. It’s really important. With my dad I forgot very quickly what he sounded like, then after 20 years I found a recording and heard his voice again. It was a shock and really hard. My girls miss [their father] all the time but they won’t have that ‘Oh my God!’ moment — they can see him whenever they want. I go on the internet and listen to Roger often."

Martin's openness about her experience of grief, financial struggles, and the importance of honoring memories serves as a poignant reminder of the complex and multifaceted nature of loss. It highlights the need for empathy, understanding, and support in the face of such profound challenges.