The award-winning actress delivers a memorable turn as an impossibly demanding neighbour in this remarkable true-story crime drama, now available on BBC iPlayer.

If you’re searching for something genuinely worth watching tonight, The Duke deserves a place at the top of your list. The 2022 film, which has now arrived on BBC iPlayer, brings together acting heavyweights Jim Broadbent and Helen Mirren in an extraordinary story of art theft, family struggles and an unlikely act of protest.

But there’s another performance that deserves far more attention.

Anna Maxwell Martin is a particular standout as Mrs Gowling, a wealthy neighbour whose relentless demands make life considerably harder for Dorothy Bunton. It’s a relatively understated role compared with the film’s leading performances, but Anna brings exactly the right edge to the character.

First released in cinemas in 2022, The Duke is based on the bizarre true story of a 60-year-old taxi driver who stole one of Britain’s most famous paintings from the National Gallery. What followed was a case unlike anything the gallery had experienced before.

Here’s what you need to know before watching.

The Extraordinary True Story Behind The Duke

The film centres on Kempton Bunton (Jim Broadbent), a 60-year-old taxi driver whose name became attached to one of the most unusual art thefts in British history.

In 1961, Kempton stole Francisco Goya’s Portrait of the Duke of Wellington from London’s National Gallery. The painting had been purchased for £140,000 just 19 days before it disappeared.

The theft remains the only one of its kind in the National Gallery’s history.

But Kempton’s motives were far from conventional. Rather than simply demanding money for the painting’s return, he issued an extraordinary ransom request: the government should invest more in care for elderly people.

His campaign for pensioners went beyond the theft itself. A passionate supporter of the BBC, Kempton had spent years arguing that older people should receive free television.

The authorities ignored his demands, and the painting eventually resurfaced in 1965, when it was discovered inside a railway station locker in Birmingham.

Six weeks later, Kempton handed himself in to the police. His subsequent trial saw him repeatedly press his argument about television licence fees. He was eventually sentenced to three months in prison.

Kempton died in 1976.

There’s also a remarkable twist to the real story that the film saves until near the end. It’s one of the reasons the full story is worth experiencing without spoilers.

Anna Maxwell Martin Steals the Spotlight as Mrs Gowling

While the unusual theft provides the film’s central storyline, its characters give the drama much of its personality.

Kempton’s wife, Dorothy Bunton (Helen Mirren), is a long-suffering woman trying to keep her household together. She also works as a housekeeper for her considerably wealthier neighbour, Mrs Gowling (Anna Maxwell Martin).

And Mrs Gowling is certainly not an easy person to work for.

Her demanding nature creates an entertaining contrast with Dorothy’s circumstances, giving Anna Maxwell Martin plenty of opportunity to make an impression.

Meanwhile, Kempton and Dorothy’s two sons, Jackie (Fionn Whitehead) and Kenny (Jack Bundeira), add another dimension to the family’s story.

Although Broadbent and Mirren naturally command much of the attention, Anna’s portrayal of the difficult neighbour is one of the film’s most enjoyable supporting performances.

Who Stars in The Duke?

The film brings together an impressive cast, including:

• Jim Broadbent as Kempton Bunton
• Helen Mirren as Dorothy Bunton
• Anna Maxwell Martin as Mrs Gowling
• Fionn Whitehead as Jackie Bunton
• Matthew Goode as Jeremy Hutchinson
• Charlotte Spencer as Pammy
• Aimée Kelly as Irene

Watch the Official Trailer

The official trailer gives viewers a glimpse of the film’s unusual premise and the performances from its two leading stars, Jim Broadbent and Helen Mirren.

Anna Maxwell Martin doesn’t feature extensively in the preview, but there’s plenty here to give you a sense of the film’s distinctive mix of humour and drama.

The Duke (2022) – Official Trailer:

Is The Duke Worth Watching?

Absolutely. The Duke offers something a little different from the usual crime drama.

It’s an unexpectedly heartwarming film built around an extraordinary real-life incident. While the storytelling arguably softens certain aspects of the actual events, that doesn’t take away from its appeal.

Jim Broadbent and Helen Mirren deliver the kind of performances you’d expect from two actors of their calibre. Anna Maxwell Martin, meanwhile, makes an excellent impression as the demanding Mrs Gowling.

It’s an accessible, entertaining watch that works particularly well for a relaxed evening. And with its unusual premise and strong ensemble cast, there’s plenty to enjoy beyond the headline-grabbing art theft.

How to Watch The Duke

You don’t need to look far to find it. The Duke is available to stream now on BBC iPlayer.

If The Duke leaves you wanting to see more of Anna Maxwell Martin, there are several other performances worth adding to your watchlist.

1. Midwinter of the Spirit

For something considerably darker, try this unsettling three-part crime drama.

Anna stars as Merrily Watkins, a single mother who has taken up the unusual practice of exorcism. When a gruesome murder occurs nearby, the police turn to Merrily for help.

The series is available on Netflix and ITVX.

2. Unforgivable

This BBC drama explores the devastating consequences of an unthinkable family betrayal.

The story follows Joe, a sex offender who committed crimes within his own family, as he is released from prison. Anna plays an ex-nun responsible for running the accommodation where Joe is sent following his release.

It’s a darker subject matter that offers another opportunity to see Anna take on a challenging role.

Watch on BBC iPlayer