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Mel Martin
Mel Martin
Mel Martin
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Mel Martin (born 7 March 1947) is an English actress.

Key Information

Early life

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Her father was the artist Frank Vernon Martin, who died in 2005.[1]

Career

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Her breakthrough role was as the star of LWT's Love For Lydia (1977), adapted from the novel by H E Bates.[2] She has appeared in British television programmes beginning with Special Branch (1969) in which she played Barbara Cartwright, Mystery and Imagination: Sweeney Todd (1970), then The Pallisers, Love For Lydia, Bergerac, Minder, Cover Her Face, Lovejoy, Cadfael, When the Boat Comes In, Inspector Morse and The Men's Room (1991), as well as films such as Quincy's Quest (1979), Business As Usual (1987), White Hunter Black Heart (1990), and Tom's Midnight Garden (1999).[3][4]

She starred as Fiona Samson, the double agent and wife of Bernard Samson (played by Ian Holm) in the television adaptation of Len Deighton's trilogy Berlin Game, Mexico Set and London Match (broadcast as Game, Set and Match). She portrayed Vivien Leigh opposite Anthony Higgins as Laurence Olivier in the TV biopic Darlings of the Gods.[5] In 2004, she portrayed Dorothy Huber in "They Understand Me in Paris", an episode of Rosemary and Thyme; Dorothy was the wife of millionaire Casper Hubert.[6] She played Lady Dant in Mrs 'Arris Goes to Paris (1992). In 1997 she played Dawn Langley in "Daughter of the Regiment", Hetty Wainthropp Investigates (S3:E2).[7] She has also appeared in the 1993 Christmas Special episode of Only Fools and Horses "Fatal Extraction" as Delboy's love interest Beverley.[8]

Personal life

[edit]

Martin was married to Paul Ridley from 1980 to 1982. Her second marriage is to actor John Duttine, whom she met while filming the TV adaptation of Ruth Rendell's Talking to Strange Men.[9] Martin and Duttine have appeared together on screen several times. In the Casualty episode "Branded" from February 1995, she played Mrs Jackson, whose transvestite former husband was played by Duttine.[10] In the Heartbeat episode entitled "Troubled Waters", broadcast on 22 July 2007, Martin made a guest appearance in the series but never appeared in the same scenes as Duttine who was playing his regular role of Sergeant George Miller.[11] She played Emily Merryweather, a widow who took a big shine to local garage owner Bernie Scripps played by Peter Benson. In April 2002, they played the prosecution and defence barristers at Little Mo's trial for the attempted murder of her husband Trevor in EastEnders.

References

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Mel Martin

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Mel Martin (born 7 March 1947) is an English actress recognized for her extensive work in British television, film, and theatre over five decades. Born in , to the painter Frank Vernon Martin, she began her acting career in the late with early television appearances in series such as (1969) and ITV Saturday Night Theatre (1969). Her breakthrough came with the role of Henrietta Musgrove in the BBC's adaptation of Jane Austen's (1971), marking one of her first prominent period drama credits. Throughout the and , Martin built a steady television presence, featuring in notable productions like Do You Remember? (1978) as Sally Gibbs and (1974–1975). In the 1990s, she gained further acclaim for her portrayal of Mrs. MacGregor in Clint Eastwood's drama White Hunter Black Heart (1990), a film loosely based on the making of The African Queen, and as Demelza in the television movie Poldark (1996), adapted from Winston Graham's novels. Martin continued to appear in popular British crime and mystery series, including Only Fools and Horses (1993) as Beverley, Inspector Morse (1989), The Ruth Rendell Mysteries (1992) as Jennifer Creevey, and later episodes of Midsomer Murders (2004) and A Touch of Frost. Her theatre work includes a performance in Arthur Wing Pinero's The Second Mrs. Tanqueray at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre. Her career spans classic adaptations and contemporary storytelling in British screen and stage entertainment.

Early life

Birth and family

Mel Martin was born on 7 March 1947 in , . She was the daughter of Frank Vernon Martin (14 January 1921 – 29 July 2005) and his wife Peg Goodwin, to whom he had been married since 1942; the couple had three daughters, including Martin and her sisters Tess and Gigi. Martin was raised in London amid the post-World War II era of reconstruction and austerity, within a close-knit family where her father worked as a freelance , wood engraver, and teacher at Camberwell School of Art.

Entry into acting

Mel Martin, born into a family with artistic ties, drew early inspiration from her father, Frank Vernon Martin, a noted artist, , and teacher whose work influenced the creative environment of her upbringing. This familial connection to the arts likely contributed to her decision to pursue in the 1960s, amid the vibrant cultural scene of post-war , where she began seeking opportunities in performance. Martin's professional entry came with her debut television role in 1969, appearing as Barbara Cartwright in the episode "You Don't Exist" of the British police drama Special Branch, marking her first credited on-screen performance as a minor character in the series produced by Thames Television. Over the following years, she continued to build experience through small roles in television, honing her craft within London's burgeoning television and theatre landscape, though specific formal training institutions remain undocumented in available records. Her breakthrough arrived in 1977 with the lead role of Lydia Aspen in the LWT period serial , a 13-episode adaptation of ' novel that showcased her as a shy heiress navigating romance and independence in 1920s . This role, opposite actors including Christopher Blake and a young , established Martin as a prominent television actress and highlighted her versatility in dramatic storytelling.

Acting career

Television work

Mel Martin's television career began in the late 1960s, with her gaining prominence in the early 1970s through supporting roles in period dramas, marking her entry into British broadcasting. In the 1971 adaptation of Jane Austen's , she portrayed Henrietta Musgrove, one of the younger sisters in the Musgrove family, contributing to the that brought the novel's social dynamics to life. This was followed by her role as Violet Effingham in the 1974-1975 serial , a 26-episode adaptation of Anthony Trollope's political novels, where she played the intelligent and independent heiress who navigates complex romantic entanglements among the aristocracy. Her performance in (1977), a ITV series based on ' novel, served as a breakthrough, showcasing her versatility in romantic leads and propelling her toward greater prominence in television drama. Over the subsequent decades, Martin's roles evolved from supporting characters to more central figures in both serialized dramas and episodic formats, reflecting her adaptability across genres in British television. A significant milestone came in 1988-1989 with her portrayal of Fiona Samson in the Granada Television trilogy , adapted from Len Deighton's espionage novels , Mexico Set, and London Match. As the wife of the protagonist (played by ), Martin's character was revealed as a agent, adding layers of tension and betrayal to the narrative across the 13-episode series. This role highlighted her ability to handle intricate psychological depth in spy thrillers. In 1993, Martin appeared in the Christmas special of the popular BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses...., titled "Fatal Extraction," where she played Beverley, a dentist entangled in the chaotic schemes of the lead characters and . Her performance brought a touch of sophistication and humor to the episode, which drew 19.59 million viewers and underscored her range in lighter fare. Martin's extensive guest appearances further demonstrated her presence in procedural and mystery series throughout the and . She featured in Bergerac (1983) as Angela Marshall, a key figure in a Jersey-based investigation; Minder (1985) as Caroline Selby, involved in the show's signature criminal escapades; and Inspector Morse (1989) as Rosemary Henderson in the episode "The Secret of Bay 5B," where her character navigated a web of intrigue and personal vendettas. Into the 2000s, she continued with roles in Rosemary & Thyme (2004) as a gardener entangled in murder mysteries, Midsomer Murders (multiple episodes, including 2005's "Bantling Boy"), A Touch of Frost (1996) as Jane Fanshawe, a deputy editor in a media-related case, Heartbeat (1992 and 1999) as Emily Merryweather and Stella Redford in rural settings, Casualty (various episodes in the 1990s and 2000s), and (2004) as Anthea, a patient facing surgical dilemmas. In 1996, she portrayed Demelza in the television movie , adapted from Winston Graham's novels. These appearances solidified her reputation as a reliable character actress in long-running British series, often embodying poised, multifaceted women in crime and medical dramas.

Film roles

Mel Martin's debut in feature films came with Quincy's Quest (1979), a fantasy adventure directed by Robert Reed and based on the children's book by Colin West, where she portrayed Rebecca, the enchanted doll companion to the protagonist Quincy, a toymaker on a quest to find a heart. The film, which blended musical elements with whimsical storytelling, marked her entry into cinema after establishing herself in television, showcasing her versatility in lighter, imaginative roles. A prominent supporting role followed in Clint Eastwood's White Hunter Black Heart (1990), an adaptation of Peter Viertel's novel about the making of The African Queen, in which Martin played Mrs. MacGregor, a British colonial figure interacting with the film's central character during the African shoot. Her performance contributed to the film's exploration of obsession and cultural clashes, earning praise for the ensemble's authenticity in depicting 1950s Hollywood expatriates. This role highlighted Martin's ability to hold her own in a high-profile international production alongside Eastwood, who also directed. Later, Martin appeared in Tom's Midnight Garden (1999), directed by and adapted from Philippa Pearce's acclaimed children's novel, taking on the role of Alice Long, a key figure in the story's mystical garden encounters experienced by the young protagonist. The film, which emphasized themes of time, loss, and wonder, benefited from Martin's nuanced portrayal of a character bridging past and present, adding emotional depth to the . Throughout her , Martin's film work remained selective, with only a handful of feature appearances compared to her extensive television portfolio, allowing her to focus on roles that aligned with her strengths in dramatic and period pieces.

Theatre performances

Mel Martin's theatre career gained prominence through her work with the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) in the 1970s and 1980s, where she demonstrated versatility across classical and contemporary repertoire. Her RSC debut came in 1974 as Alice Faulkner in William Gillette's , a Victorian-era that toured under the company's banner and featured a strong ensemble including John Wood as the titular . In 1978, she appeared in Arthur Wing Pinero's The Second Mrs. Tanqueray at Sheffield's . In the late 1970s, Martin expanded her classical portfolio with the role of Lady Anne in Shakespeare's Richard III at the National Theatre's Olivier auditorium, a production running from September 1979 to March 1980 that explored themes of power and seduction in a stark, modern-dress interpretation. This performance highlighted her command of , contrasting vulnerability with moral complexity. Following early television roles, these stage opportunities allowed Martin to hone her live performance skills in London's major institutions. Returning to the RSC in the mid-1980s, Martin took on dual roles as the courtesan Vittoria and Carubina in an of Il Candelaio (The Candle-Bearer), staged at the Barbican Pit from 1985 to 1986 with a press night on 2 April 1986. The production, directed by John Barton and Frank Dotterell, blended farce and philosophical wit, showcasing Martin's adeptness at multifaceted characters in texts. That same year, she appeared as a key performer in the RSC's experimental piece Hello, We're Not In at the , a brief run with a press night on 8 August 1986 that delved into postmodern themes through ensemble improvisation and dialogue. These productions during the 1970s and 1980s exemplified Martin's range, from historical dramas to innovative interpretations, solidifying her reputation in British ensemble theatre.

Personal life

Marriages

Mel Martin was first married to actor Paul Ridley from 1980 until their divorce in 1982. The couple had no children together, and there is no record of significant professional collaborations between them during or after their marriage. Martin's second marriage is to fellow actor , whom she met in 1992 while filming the television adaptation of Ruth Rendell's Talking to Strange Men, in which they portrayed a divorced couple. They wed in 1998 and have remained married as of 2025, with no children from this union.

Professional collaborations

Mel Martin first collaborated professionally with actor John Duttine in the 1992 television adaptation of Ruth Rendell's Talking to Strange Men, where they co-starred as a separated couple entangled in espionage. Their on-screen chemistry led to further joint work, including a national tour of the two-hander play Same Time, Next Year later that year, in which they portrayed alternating couples across decades. Following their marriage in 1998, Martin and Duttine continued selective professional partnerships, appearing together in several television episodes that highlighted their real-life rapport. In the 1995 Casualty episode "Branded," Duttine played Audrey Foster, the transvestite former husband of Martin's character Mrs. Jackson, in a storyline involving personal drama. They reunited in 2002 for two episodes of EastEnders (airing April 15 and 18), with Duttine as lawyer Mr. Haywood and Martin as Ms. Sumner, representing opposing sides in a tense courtroom scene related to character Little Mo's abuse case. In 2007, both appeared in Heartbeat, with Martin guest-starring as Emily Merryweather in the episode "Troubled Waters" during Duttine's run as Sergeant George Miller, though they did not share scenes. These collaborations reflect a pattern of occasional joint projects post-marriage, often in supporting roles that leveraged their established chemistry without dominating their individual careers. No major shared productions have been documented after , suggesting a focus on television guest spots amid their in . In her later career, Martin has maintained a low profile, with no significant acting credits recorded after , indicating a semi-retired status while residing with Duttine. Occasional voice work or minor guest roles have not been confirmed in major productions up to 2025, aligning with a shift toward private life following decades in the industry.
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