Anna Maxwell Martin's Children Deem Her TV Appearances 'Abhorrent and Mega Cringe'
BAFTA-winning actress Anna Maxwell Martin, 48, has candidly shared that her children find watching her on television utterly mortifying. The revelation came during her appearance on this weekend's edition of The Jonathan Ross Show, where she joined fellow guests Sir Michael Palin and Catherine Tate. Anna described her kids' reaction to her performances as deeply disappointing, attributing it to the embarrassing antics of her character Julia in the hit series Motherland.
Embracing a 'Hardcore' Role in Star City
Amidst the family revelations, Anna delved into her upcoming role in the Apple TV science fiction drama Star City. She portrays Lyudmilla Raskova, a formidable tank commander who leads the KGB surveillance department at Star City. Anna expressed immense enthusiasm for the character, labeling her a 'real badass' and a 'master manipulator'. She praised the role for its intensity, noting that the project is a 'proper thriller' that required her to handle firearms, albeit with a lightweight polystyrene prop replacing the heavy real gun.
Anna humorously recounted the physical demands of the role, stating she was exhausted from holding the real gun and received no formal training for the action-packed scenes. The conversation also touched on the challenges of mastering Russian for the show, highlighting the dedication required for the part.
Fellow Guests Share Travel Tales and Celebrity Traitors Chat
The episode featured lively discussions beyond Anna's revelations. Catherine Tate recounted a harrowing experience from her drama school days, when she was stranded in Moscow during a military coup, with her mother resorting to the world service to locate her. Sir Michael Palin reflected on his extensive travels, naming Bhutan and Nepal as favourites, and shared an amusing anecdote about being mistaken for Eric Idle while climbing the Annapurna Trail.
The group also debated the possibility of participating in Celebrity Traitors. Anna expressed reluctance due to the late filming hours, while Catherine Tate declared she would '100%' join if it weren't televised. Sir Michael Palin further entertained with stories from his new book on Nigeria, praising the country's inventiveness and recounting a surreal experience inspecting horsemen in new jeans.
Unexpected Connections and Family Holiday Insights
Catherine Tate revealed an unexpected offer of land in Nigeria for an animal sanctuary, joking about a potential career change if comedy fails. Sir Michael Palin provided a glimpse into his family life, describing holidays with grandchildren as 'much harder work than filming', despite the joy of moments like his granddaughter Rose's playful pool splashes.
The Jonathan Ross Show, airing on ITV and ITVX, promises a blend of personal insights and entertaining banter, showcasing the diverse experiences of its esteemed guests.
