Anna Maxwell Martin (born Anna Charlotte Martin; 10 May 1977), sometimes credited as Anna Maxwell-Martin, is an English actress who won two

British Academy Television Award The BAFTA TV Awards, or British Academy Television Awards, are presented in an annual award show hosted by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. They have been awarded annually since 1955. Background The first-ever Awards, given in 1 ...

s, for her portrayals of Esther Summerson in the BBC adaptation of ''

Bleak House ''Bleak House'' is a novel by English author Charles Dickens, first published as a 20-episode Serial (literature), serial between 12 March 1852 and 12 September 1853. The novel has many characters and several subplots, and is told partly by th ...

'' (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 ''Line of Duty'' is a British police procedural and serial drama television programme created by Jed Mercurio and produced by World Productions for the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). It began broadcasting on BBC Two on 26 June 2012. ...

'' (2019–2021) and Kelly Major in '' Code 404'' (2020–2022). From 2016-2022, Martin starred in the BBC comedy ''

Motherland A homeland is a place where a national or ethnic identity has formed. The definition can also mean simply one's country of birth. When used as a proper noun, the Homeland, as well as its equivalents in other languages, often has ethnic natio ...

'', 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 ''His Dark Materials'' is a trilogy of fantasy novels by Philip Pullman consisting of '' Northern Lights'' (1995; published as ''The Golden Compass'' in North America), '' The Subtle Knife'' (1997), and '' The Amber Spyglass'' (2000). It follo ...

'' (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. 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 The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) is a drama school located in Hammersmith, London. Founded in 1861, it is the oldest specialist drama school in the British Isles and a founding member of the Federation of Drama Schools. In ...

(LAMDA). 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. 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.

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 Sir Philip Nicholas Outram Pullman (born 19 October 1946) is an English writer. He is best known for the fantasy trilogy ''His Dark Materials''. The first volume, ''Northern Lights'' (1995), won the Carnegie Medal

's ''

''. She was then cast in the part of Bessie Higgins in the BBC television adaptation of

Elizabeth Gaskell Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell (''née'' Stevenson; 29 September 1810 – 12 November 1865), often referred to as Mrs Gaskell, was an English novelist, biographer, and short story writer. Her novels offer detailed studies of Victorian era, Victoria ...

's novel '' North and South'' in 2004, and made a guest appearance in the 2005 series of ''

Doctor Who ''Doctor Who'' is a British science fiction television series broadcast by the BBC since 1963. The series, created by Sydney Newman, C. E. Webber and Donald Wilson (writer and producer), Donald Wilson, depicts the adventures of an extraterre ...

''. She played Esther Summerson, the central character in the 2005 BBC adaptation of

Charles Dickens Charles John Huffam Dickens (; 7 February 1812 – 9 June 1870) was an English novelist, journalist, short story writer and Social criticism, social critic. He created some of literature's best-known fictional characters, and is regarded by ...

's ''

'', for which she won the Best Actress BAFTA Television Award in 2006. In January 2006, Martin took part in a reading of '' The Entertainer'' at the

Royal Court Theatre The Royal Court Theatre, at different times known as the Court Theatre, the New Chelsea Theatre, and the Belgravia Theatre, is a West End theatre#London's non-commercial theatres, non-commercial theatre in Sloane Square, London, England, opene ...

, 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 World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...

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 Sally Bowles () is a fictional character created by English-American novelist Christopher Isherwood and based upon 19-year-old cabaret singer Jean Ross. The character debuted in Isherwood's 1937 novella ''Sally Bowles'' published by Hogarth Pre ...

in Bill Kenwright and Rufus Norris's West End production of ''

Cabaret Cabaret is a form of theatrical entertainment featuring music song, dance, recitation, or drama. The performance venue might be a pub, casino, hotel, restaurant, or nightclub with a stage for performances. The audience, often dining or drinking, ...

'' at the Lyric Theatre. She played Cassandra Austen in '' Becoming Jane'', a 2007 film about the early life of the novelist

Jane Austen Jane Austen ( ; 16 December 1775 – 18 July 1817) was an English novelist known primarily for #List of works, her six novels, which implicitly interpret, critique, and comment on the English landed gentry at the end of the 18th century ...

, starring American actress

Anne Hathaway Anne Jacqueline Hathaway (born November 12, 1982) is an American actress. List of awards and nominations received by Anne Hathaway, Her accolades include an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a Primetime ...

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 ''The Wind in the Willows'' is a children's novel by the British novelist Kenneth Grahame, first published in 1908. It details the story of Mole, Ratty, and Badger as they try to help Mr. Toad, after he becomes obsessed with motorcars and get ...

'', a multimillion-pound production by Box TV for

BBC One BBC One is a British free-to-air public broadcast television channel owned and operated by the BBC. It is the corporation's oldest and flagship channel, and is known for broadcasting mainstream programming, which includes BBC News television b ...

, and was the joint narrator (with Anton Lesser) of the CD version of '' Tamar'', a children's book about the

Second World War World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

by Mal Peet, which was published in December 2007. In 2008 Martin starred in the

BBC Two BBC Two is a British free-to-air Public service broadcasting in the United Kingdom, public broadcast television channel owned and operated by the BBC. It is the corporation's second flagship channel, and it covers a wide range of subject matte ...

drama '' White Girl'' and with Naomie Harris in

Channel 4 Channel 4 is a British free-to-air public broadcast television channel owned and operated by Channel Four Television Corporation. It is state-owned enterprise, publicly owned but, unlike the BBC, it receives no public funding and is funded en ...

's adaptation of '' Poppy Shakespeare'', for which she won her second Best Actress BAFTA Television Award in 2009. From July to October of that year, she appeared with Dame

Eileen Atkins Dame Eileen June Atkins (born 15 June 1934) is an English actress. She has worked in the theatre, film, and television consistently since 1953. In 2008, she won the BAFTA TV Award for Best Actress and the Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting ...

in '' The Female of the Species'' at the Vaudeville Theatre in London. She also appeared in a

BBC Radio 4 BBC Radio 4 is a British national radio station owned and operated by the BBC. The station replaced the BBC Home Service on 30 September 1967 and broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes from the BBC's headquarters at Broadcasti ...

adaptation of

Agatha Christie Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie, Lady Mallowan, (; 15 September 1890 – 12 January 1976) was an English people, English author known for her 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections, particularly those revolving ...

's novel ''

Crooked House ''Crooked House'' is a work of detective fiction by Agatha Christie first published in the US by Dodd, Mead and Company in March 1949 and in the UK by the Collins Crime Club on 23 May of the same year. The action takes place in and near Lo ...

''. In July 2009, she appeared in the BBC Two drama '' Freefall'', and played

Neil Armstrong Neil Alden Armstrong (August 5, 1930 – August 25, 2012) was an American astronaut and aerospace engineering, aeronautical engineer who, in 1969, became the Apollo 11#Lunar surface operations, first person to walk on the Moon. He was al ...

's wife, Janet, in '' Moonshot: The Flight of Apollo 11'', an

ITV1 ITV1 (formerly known as ITV) is a British free-to-air Public service broadcasting in the United Kingdom, public broadcast television channel owned and operated by the British media company ITV plc. It provides the ITV (TV network), Channel 3 ...

drama documentary to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the

Apollo 11 Apollo 11 was a spaceflight conducted from July 16 to 24, 1969, by the United States and launched by NASA. It marked the first time that humans Moon landing, landed on the Moon. Commander Neil Armstrong and Lunar Module pilot Buzz Aldrin l ...

Moon landing. In February 2010, she played freedom of information campaigner Heather Brooke in '' On Expenses'', a

BBC Four BBC Four is a British free-to-air Public service broadcasting in the United Kingdom, public broadcast television channel owned and operated by the BBC. It was launched on 2 March 2002

satirical drama, and later played Isabella in Shakespeare's ''

Measure For Measure ''Measure for Measure'' is a play by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written in 1603 or 1604 and first performed in 1604. It was published in the First Folio of 1623. The play centers on the despotic and puritan Angelo (Measure for ...

'' alongside Rory Kinnear at the

Almeida Theatre The Almeida Theatre is a 325-seat producing house located on Almeida Street off Upper Street in the London Borough of Islington. The theatre opened in 1980, and produces a diverse range of drama. Successful plays are often transferred to West E ...

. In February 2011, she played Sarah Burton in a three-part BBC adaptation of Winifred Holtby's novel '' South Riding'', and received a nomination for BAFTA Best Actress Award for her role. On 12 July 2011, she played Kay Langrish in a BBC Two dramatisation of ''

The Night Watch ''Militia Company of District II under the Command of Captain Frans Banninck Cocq'', also known as ''The Shooting Company of Frans Banning Cocq and Willem van Ruytenburch'', but commonly referred to as ''The Night Watch'' (), is a 1642 painting ...

''. Beginning in September 2012, she starred in the drama mini-series '' The Bletchley Circle'' (2012–2014). On 4 September 2012, she appeared in

Jimmy McGovern James Stanley McGovern (born September 1949) is an English screenwriter and producer. He is best known for creating the drama series '' Cracker'' (1993–1995), for which he received two Edgar Awards from the Mystery Writers of America. He als ...

's '' Accused''. 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'', 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 ''Pride and Prejudice'' is the second published novel (but third to be written) by English author Jane Austen, written when she was age 20-21, and later published in 1813. A novel of manners, it follows the character development of Elizabe ...

'' six years after Darcy and Elizabeth's marriage, with a murder mystery plot involving the same characters. In 2015 she played

Mary Shelley Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley ( , ; ; 30 August 1797 – 1 February 1851) was an English novelist who wrote the Gothic novel ''Frankenstein, Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus'' (1818), which is considered an History of science fiction# ...

in ITV drama series '' The Frankenstein Chronicles''. In December that year she appeared as Ethel Rogers in the BBC three-part serial ''And Then There Were None'', an adaptation of

's novel of the same name. In 2017 she played Julia in The BBC comedy series ''

''. 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. In 2019 Martin played

Beelzebub Ba'al Zabub , Ba'al Zvuv or Beelzebub ( ; ''Baʿal-zəḇūḇ''), also spelled Beelzebul or Belzebuth, and occasionally known as the Lord of the Flies, is a name derived from a Philistine god, formerly worshipped in Ekron, and later adopted ...

, leader of the denizens of Hell, in the

Amazon Prime Amazon Prime (styled as prime) is a paid subscription service of Amazon which is available in many countries and gives users access to additional services otherwise unavailable or available at a premium to other Amazon customers. Services inclu ...

TV serial '' Good Omens'', based on the book by

Terry Pratchett Sir Terence David John Pratchett (28 April 1948 – 12 March 2015) was an English author, humorist, and Satire, satirist, best known for the ''Discworld'' series of 41 comic fantasy novels published between 1983 and 2015, and for the Apocalyp ...

and

Neil Gaiman Neil Richard MacKinnon Gaiman (; born Neil Richard Gaiman; 10 November 1960) is an English author of short fiction, novels, comic books, audio theatre, and screenplays. His works include the comic series ''The Sandman (comic book), The Sandma ...

. In the same year she joined the cast of ''

'' during its fifth series, playing DCS Patricia Carmichael, a role she reprised in series six. In 2021 Martin played the co-lead role in '' Hollington Drive'', an ITV television drama series that began broadcasting on 29 September 2021. 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 Ian David Hislop (born 13 July 1960) is a British journalist, satirist, and television personality. He is the editor of the satirical magazine '' Private Eye'', a position he has held since 1986. He has appeared on many radio and television pr ...

. In February 2023, it was announced that Martin would portray Delia Balmer in the ITV-commissioned true crime drama series ''Delia Balmer''. The four part miniseries aired in 2024 as '' Until I Kill You''. The series was highly praised by many reviewers, and Martin's performance in particular, with

Lucy Mangan Lucy Mangan (born 1974) is a British journalist and author. She is a columnist, features writer and TV critic for ''The Guardian'' and an opinion writer for '' i'' news. Early life and education Mangan was born in 1974 and grew up in Catford, ...

of ''

The Guardian ''The Guardian'' is a British daily newspaper. It was founded in Manchester in 1821 as ''The Manchester Guardian'' and changed its name in 1959, followed by a move to London. Along with its sister paper, ''The Guardian Weekly'', ''The Guardi ...

'' giving the series a five-star review. In summer 2024, Martin played Monica in the world premiere of Joe Penhall's new play '' The Constituent'' at The Old Vic, directed by

Matthew Warchus Matthew Warchus (born 24 October 1966) is an English theatre director, playwright, and filmmaker. He has been the Artistic Director of London's The Old Vic since September 2015. Early life and education Warchus grew up in Selby, North Yorkshir ...

and co-starring James Corden. In autumn 2024, Martin costarred with David Mitchell in ''Ludwig'', a six-part BBC television detective dramedy series. On Christmas Day 2024, she appeared as the Celebrant in the final episode of the BBC sitcom '' Gavin & Stacey''.

Personal life

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

Filmography

Film

Television

Stage

Readings and benefits

*'' The Lady of Larkspur Lotion'' (rehearsed reading) as Mrs. Hardwicke-Moore at the National Theatre (21 October 2002) *'' Hello from Bertha'' (rehearsed reading) as Goldie at the National Theatre (22 October 2002) *''Collateral Damage II'' (poetry) at the National Theatre (14 March 2003) *'' Songs of Innocence and Experience'' (poetry) at the National Theatre (18 February 2004) *''The Marriage of Heaven and Hell'' (poetry) at the National Theatre (25 February 2004) *''Will and Lyra'' as herself (interview) at the National Theatre (26 March 2004) *''After the Fire'' (rehearsed reading) at the National Theatre (7 March 2005) *''The Black Glove'' (rehearsed reading) at the National Theatre (15 March 2005) *''Snowbound'' (showcase) at the Royal National Theatre Studio (October 2005) *'' The Entertainer'' (rehearsed reading) as Jean Rice at the Royal Court Theatre (16 January 2006) *'' Top Girls'' (reading) as Pope Joan at the Royal Court Theatre (19 September 2008) *''Pencil'' (10-minute play in the 24 Hour Plays Celebrity Gala) at the

Old Vic Old or OLD may refer to: Places *Old, Baranya, Hungary *Old, Northamptonshire, England *Old Street station, a railway and tube station in London (station code OLD) *OLD, IATA code for Old Town Municipal Airport and Seaplane Base, Old Town, Mai ...

(1 November 2009)

Audio

Radio

*''The Tall One'' as Samantha (

, 1 to 5 September 2003) *'' The Raj Quartet'' as Daphne Manners (BBC Radio 4, 10 April to 5 June 2005) *''The Ante Natal Clinic'' as Ros (BBC Radio 4, 19 January 2006) *'' The Sea'' as Rose Jones (BBC Radio 4, 15 April 2006) *''

Great Expectations ''Great Expectations'' is the thirteenth novel by English author Charles Dickens and his penultimate completed novel. The novel is a bildungsroman and depicts the education of an orphan nicknamed Pip. It is Dickens' second novel, after ''Dav ...

'' as Estella Havisham (BBC Radio 4, 6 and 13 August 2006) *''The Invention of Childhood'' as one of several readers (BBC Radio 4, 25 September to 3 November 2006) *''Berlin – Soundz Decadent'' as herself (

BBC Radio 2 BBC Radio 2 is a British national radio station owned and operated by the BBC. It is the List of most-listened-to radio programs, most popular station in the United Kingdom with over 14 million weekly listeners. Since launching in 1967, the sta ...

, 2 January 2007) *''

'' as Sophia Leonides (BBC Radio 4, 8 to 29 February 2008) *''Words and Music: The Soft Machine'' as one of two poetry readers (

BBC Radio 3 BBC Radio 3 is a British national radio station owned and operated by the BBC. It replaced the BBC Third Programme in 1967 and broadcasts classical music and opera, with jazz, world music, Radio drama, drama, High culture, culture and the arts ...

, 1 June 2008) *'' The Portrait of a Lady'' as Isabel Archer (BBC Radio 4, 13 to 27 July 2008) *'' Villette'' as Lucy Snowe (BBC Radio 4, 3 to 7 and 10 to 14 August 2009) *''Au Pairs'' as Dorika (BBC Radio 4, 7 to 11 September 2009) *''Chekhov's Seven and a Half Years'' as Olga in '' Three Sisters'' (BBC Radio 3, 24 January 2010) *''The New Radio 2 Arts Show with Claudia Winkleman'' as herself (BBC Radio 2, 15 March 2010) *''Words and Music: Malady'' as one of two readers (BBC Radio 3, 11 April 2010) *'' The Wings of the Dove'' as Milly Theale (BBC Radio 4, 1, 8 and 15 August 2010) *'' The White Devil'' as Vittoria Corombona (BBC Radio 3, 15 August 2010) *''

Faust Faust ( , ) is the protagonist of a classic German folklore, German legend based on the historical Johann Georg Faust (). The erudite Faust is highly successful yet dissatisfied with his life, which leads him to make a deal with the Devil at a ...

'' as Gretchen (BBC Radio 3, 19 September 2010) *''Juvenile Jane'' as the extract reader (BBC Radio 4, 23 November 2010)

Audiobooks

* * * *

Awards and nominations

References

External links

*
Anna in His Dark Materials

Article on HisDarkMaterials.org
* Sophie Heawood (26 August 2018),
Interview—Anna Maxwell Martin
, ''

The Observer ''The Observer'' is a British newspaper published on Sundays. First published in 1791, it is the world's oldest Sunday newspaper. In 1993 it was acquired by Guardian Media Group Limited, and operated as a sister paper to ''The Guardian'' ...

''. {{DEFAULTSORT:Martin, Anna Maxwell 1977 births Living people 21st-century English actresses Actors from Beverley Actresses from the East Riding of Yorkshire Alumni of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art Alumni of the University of Liverpool Best Actress BAFTA Award (television) winners English film actresses English stage actresses English television actresses English voice actresses