Actress Anna Maxwell Martin has revealed she turned down an offer to appear on the BBC show Celebrity Traitors, citing the late-night filming schedule as the reason. The Motherland star, 42, said she could not commit to the programme's demanding hours, which would have required her to be away from her two daughters overnight.
In an interview, Maxwell Martin explained that her priority is her children, Maggie, ten, and Nancy, seven, whom she shares with her estranged husband, film and theatre director Roger Michell. She stated that the show's production timeline clashed with her responsibilities as a mother, making it impossible for her to participate.
The actress, who plays the frazzled mother Julia in the BBC comedy Motherland, emphasised that she is not a single working mother, as Michell remains an 'amazing' and 'supportive' presence in their lives. She also credited a nanny and her own mother for helping with childcare, allowing her to balance work and family.
Maxwell Martin and Michell separated after 16 years together, but she has spoken positively about their co-parenting arrangement. She noted that while their marriage ended, they have worked through the separation in a healthy way, focusing on the wellbeing of their children.
The actress's decision to decline Celebrity Traitors reflects her commitment to maintaining a stable home life for her daughters, even as she continues her acting career. She has previously starred in shows like Code 404 and is known for her Bafta-winning performances.
