In a remarkably candid new interview, actor Dominic West has spoken openly about one of the deepest regrets of his life: the breakdown of his relationship with the mother of his first child.
A Painful Split and Lasting Regret
The 56-year-old star of The Wire became a father for the first time in 1998 when his partner, Polly Astor, gave birth to their daughter, Martha. Polly is the daughter of the late Conservative politician Michael Astor. Reflecting on their subsequent split, West described the loss as one of the "big sadnesses" of his life.
Speaking on the Rosebud with Gyles Brandreth podcast, the actor admitted he felt "too young" to settle down at the age of 28. "I suppose I wish my eldest daughter had had some of the advantages or some of the security that my others have had," he confessed, referencing the four children he later had with his wife.
West, who has been married to landscape gardener and aristocrat Catherine FitzGerald since 2010, acknowledged the timing was wrong. "I was just leaving drama school and looking towards America so it came at the wrong time, really," he explained, later adding that 28 was "not that young". Despite the difficult ending, he noted that he and Astor are now "great friends" and have been "civil throughout".
Addressing Public Scrutiny and Finding Levity
The actor's marriage was thrust into the global spotlight in 2020 after he was photographed apparently kissing actress Lily James in Rome. The couple addressed the intense media frenzy directly, standing outside their London home with a handwritten sign that read: "Our marriage is strong and we're very much still together. Thank you. Catherine and Dominic."
Nearly four years on, West remains reluctant to discuss the incident in detail but revealed that he and his wife have found a way to joke about the aftermath. "I hesitate to speak on my wife's behalf because it was obviously horrible, particularly for her," he told The Times. "But we do joke about it sometimes."
He described the absurdity of their public portrayal, noting that the press would label any joint appearance as a "show of unity". "Even if we'd just been rowing about parking the car or whatever," he said. This has led to the couple now humorously asking each other, "Shall we go and have a show of unity up in London?" when they head out.
Moving Forward with Family
Despite past turmoil, West's family life remains central. One of his children with Catherine even appeared alongside him in The Crown, playing a young Prince William to West's Prince Charles. While he carries regret for the past, his focus is on the present with his wife and their shared family.
Reflecting on the period of intense public scrutiny, West concluded, "It was an absurd situation. It was deeply stressful for my wife and my kids, but there were lighter moments. That was the best that came out of it, really."
