Former EastEnders icon and Love, Actually star Martine McCutcheon is boldly looking forward to her 50th birthday next year, embracing a new chapter of self-acceptance and fun despite recent personal hardships, including an ongoing fallout with her mother.
A New Chapter of Self-Acceptance
As she approaches the milestone age of 50 in May next year, McCutcheon reveals she feels "thrilled" and liberated rather than fearful. She credits pioneering women like Oprah Winfrey, Kim Cattrall, and Brené Brown for reshaping the narrative around ageing for women.
"These trailblazing women have really changed the course and the tone of what 50 is for women," she said. "They are not just speaking it, they’re living it." The actress admits that without their example, she might have been "quite scared" of the landmark birthday.
She now feels confident in her own opinions and limitations. "I’m so not sorry for my own opinions, my own voice, my own limitations and finally being able to say, always with the most respect, 'No, no, no,'" McCutcheon stated.
Finding Peace After Personal Hardship
This positive outlook comes after a period of significant personal difficulty. Last year, she announced her separation from husband Jack McManus after 12 years of marriage. In 2022, her brother LJ passed away aged just 31. She is also currently estranged from her mother, Jenny.
McCutcheon finds profound peace in her role as a mother to her 10-year-old son, Rafferty. His arrival, she explains, taught her an invaluable lesson about self-worth. "When I had my son I realised that you don’t have to earn love. You’re enough exactly as you are. Always were, always have been," she shared.
She described the moment she first held him as giving her "a lot of peace and a lot of completeness" after years in the spotlight where she was "quite judgmental" of herself.
Looking Forward with Fun and Spirituality
For her sixth decade, McCutcheon's main goal is simple: to have fun. A recent conversation made her realise she has no hobbies, having devoted her life to work and family. "I just want to have fun. I want to find out, away from career and family, what just brings me fun," she said.
She is also keen to explore her spirituality more deeply in 2026, particularly the power of crystals. She has always believed she has intuitive healing abilities. "Ever since I was a little girl I just can feel where people are holding blockages in their body," McCutcheon revealed, expressing a desire to learn more.
A Lasting Legacy and Christmas Magic
Twenty-two years after its release, Love, Actually remains a cherished part of the festive season. McCutcheon recently partnered with Costa Coffee to recreate the film's iconic airport reunion scene, reuniting real-life loved ones.
"It’s a reminder that when you get jaded, when you get cynical, dreams can come true," she reflected on the film's enduring magic. This Christmas, she is focused on sharing the joy of the season with Rafferty and loved ones.
As for a potential return to Albert Square, the door isn't completely closed. While her character Tiffany Raymond was famously killed off in 1998, McCutcheon said she would "definitely" be up for a return in a flashback or memory scene. "What an amazing character she was," she fondly recalled of her soap opera roots.
