Pemberley (Lyme Park, Cheshire)

Pemberley (Lyme Park, Cheshire)
Oh, to be in England...

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Anna Maxwell Martin- Actor of the Week


Anna Maxwell Martin is a brilliant actor who has starred in some of my absolute favourite films and miniseries. She has both an unusual look and an unusual voice (a slight lisp) which make her easier to recognize in period dress than some of her peers. She makes fun of her lack of cheekbones, but I love the fact that she doesn't look like so many other actresses. Anyway, here is a highlight of her career in period drama.


As Bessie Higgins in North and South, Anna Maxwell Martin stole my heart. She showed us what the life of a poor working girl in Victorian Manchester would have been like (pretty grim at times) and yet made us love Bessie and weep during her final scene. By the way, if you have not seen North and South do so immediately!!!! Richard Armitage is another great reason to watch this miniseries multiple times.


Bleak House was another tour de force for the BBC this time with Anna Maxwell Martin in the lead role. Esther Summerson is a wonderfully complex yet subtle character and Anna let us see what she was feeling with just a fleeting look. OK, now I have to watch this one again too.


In a comic role as Gaoler's Daughter in The Wind in the Willows, Anna said she had a hard time keeping a straight face as she was filming. Apparently Matt Lucas who plays Toad (and is the chubby guy in Little Britain and Gil from Bridesmaids) just kept cracking her up.

I have not seen this but it is now on my list of films to watch. Oh and to one of my readers Olga, this one might be a good quirky comedy to watch with a 10 year old! Has anyone seen this? Can you recommend this one?


As Cassandra Austen in Becoming Jane, she could not have looked more unlike Anne Hathaway who played her sister Jane Austen but they seemed to have a lovely warmth between them which helped to suspend disbelief. Again her sheer talent as an actress ripped my heart out when she got the news of the demise of her fiance. Brava!!!

By the way, how confusing would that have been for the director to have Anna and Anne playing the Austen sisters? But I digress...


In South Riding she got to play the thoroughly modern Sarah Burton, using her native Yorkshire accent. She went after this role as it was filmed in an area of Yorkshire where she used to play on the beach as a child.

I was just OK with this particular miniseries as it was a bit grittier than what I usually enjoy. I should give it another watch at some point and see if I like it better on second viewing.


And of course, her latest stint as Susan Gray in The Bletchley Circle has me on the edge of my seat awaiting the final episode this coming week. Surely ITV will make another series with this wonderful female foursome now that they know how much we all love them (on both sides of the pond)!

Hopefully we will get to see much more of Anna Maxwell Martin in the future. She is known as the young Judi Dench in Britain so hopefully her career will have the same sort of longevity.

11 comments:

  1. I love Anna Maxwell Martin! And you are right - The Bletchley Circle is a white knuckle ride! I just saw the second episode (OMG!!) and can't wait for the conclusion. I only wish it were at least 6 episodes.

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    1. Hi Beth. That was a real shock at the end of episode 2. Eeeeek!

      Anna Maxwell Martin is awesome isn't she? And she is married to the director of Notting Hill. They have a child together. Something about that factoid makes me smile!

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  2. I've never seen the Wind in the Willows so will have to watch it! I've forgotten about a few of these movies, will have to get a couple to watch again.

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    1. Hi Wendy, Wind in the Willows looks like such fun. I need to watch some of these again too!

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  3. Hi Jenny,

    Argggg... Just as the weather is fine and I think I can get away from my T V, you post something like this! I too love Anna, and first saw her in North and South. I've been a fan ever since. And you know, I just recently watched Becoming Jane, again, and I didn't notice that she played Cassandra? ?? To me the sign of an amazing actor, when they can just disappear into their role.

    I caught just a snippet of the wind in the willows one day on TV, and was intrigued to find out what it was. I think you're right. It might be something my kids would like.

    Thanks again for the suggestions...now to find time to watch Bletchley Circle!

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    1. Hi Olga! The weather is really good now as I finally find time to respond. Hope you liked Bletchley Circle.

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  4. Ps... The Jane Austin Society, Ottawa chapter is having a drop in Pride and Prejudicc 12 hour read-a-thon today starting at 9 am, for anyone who wants to drop by. It's being held at the councillors lounge at city hall on Laurie.

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    1. Hi again! Why didn't they have the read-a-thon when the weather was crappy in February? Oh, well, too far for me anyway...

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  5. Now I want to watch Wind in the Willows. I agree that Anna is a wonderful actress, and I have gotten caught up with The Bletchley Circle, which is fabulous. I liked South Riding, and would like to watch it again.

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    1. Hi Jane. Yes more Anna MM is always wonderful. I should actually read South Riding and then watch it again. I'd probably love it then.

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  6. Anna MM is such a unique talent. Love her as Susan in The Bletchley Circle and hope to see lots more of her in future, in Series 2 of The Bletchley Circle and otherwise.

    https://www.facebook.com/TheBletchleyCircleWatchers
    #TBCW ~The Bletchley Circle Watchers

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