Anna Maxwell Martin Prioritizes Family & Kindness in Career Choices Following Personal Hardship
LONDON – Acclaimed actor Anna Maxwell Martin is reshaping her approach to work, prioritizing personal well-being and a positive work habitat above all else, a shift born from experiencing a sudden change to a single-income, single-parent family.In a recent interview, Martin detailed how this experience fundamentally altered her career considerations, leading her to actively assess potential jobs based on makeup requirements, location, and, crucially, the character of her potential colleagues.
Martin revealed that her primary question when considering a role is now, “How little time can I be in makeup? Where is it and who else is going to be ther?” She emphasized that avoiding “dickheads or arseholes” is paramount, reserving exceptions only for financially lucrative opportunities. This stance extends to her views on method acting, which she often associates with a privilege unavailable to those balancing work and family responsibilities. “What a luxury for you to go to work, while your wife is at home. You can come home and remain in character, and not help out with the kids,” she observed.
The actor firmly places her children at the centre of her life,stating,”my life is not my job – my life is my children.” Despite enjoying sharing her professional life with her daughters, she maintains a clear viewpoint, dedicating time to advocacy for vulnerable children and rejecting any sense of status associated with her career. She views the demands of motherhood, work, and advocacy not as burdens, but as skills – “I shapeshift quickly; I’m practical and strong.”
Martin also reflected on the advantages of not conforming to conventional beauty standards, noting, “Life is harder for you” when beauty is a primary focus. She expressed gratitude for having been able to focus on her “hobbies, interests, [and] ambitions” without the pressure of maintaining an image, enjoying ”the total freedom to do the things I love.” She recalls being bullied as a child, but states it didn’t affect her because she was a “happy weirdo.”
