David Morrissey's marriage was 'ruined' by his famous family as ex hits out

David Morrissey, the acclaimed actor known for his chilling portrayal of The Governor in The Walking Dead, has always been discreet about his personal life. Despite his fame, the 57 year old star has managed to keep his family out of the spotlight.

Morrissey's most notable role on television was as the unforgettable villain in the hit series The Walking Dead. Before he took on the role that would endear him to fans worldwide, David tied the knot with British novelist Esther Freud.

The pair exchanged vows back in 2006 at a quaint ceremony held on Southwold Pier and have since enjoyed a lengthy marriage. Together, they welcomed three children: Albie, Anna, and Gene.

However, in 2020, David and Esther, who is now 59, decided to part ways after years of marriage. Reports suggest that the split may have been influenced by the pressures of being connected to Esther's illustrious family.

Esther has pointed to her father, Lucian Michael Freud, as a contributing factor to the marital issues she faced with David. Lucian, a renowned British painter celebrated for his figurative art, passed away in 2011.

The legacy of fame extends beyond Esther's immediate family, reaching back to her great-grandfather, the legendary psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud. Known as the pioneer of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud's theories suggested that our early parental relationships shape our future romantic bonds.

In a candid revelation to MailOnline, Esther reflected on her father's influence, saying, "My father was a very powerful person, and I learned so much about relationships from him".

Esther has opened up about how her marriage was dominated by her husband's dedication to his career: "What was most important to him was work. So in my relationships with men, I never felt I had the right to be more important than work."

She candidly expressed the impact it had on their relationship, confessing, "That affected me and really ran my marriage," and sharing her unmet needs with a poignant, "I could never say: 'I need you'."

The BAFTA-nominated actor's spouse, Esther, ultimately ended their 14-year union. They were first introduced by Danny Webb, known for his roles in series like 'The Crow', 'Liar', and 'Residue'.

On the topic of sacrifice for his career opportunities, Esther remarked, "If he had to go away for six months somewhere, who was I to say: 'Maybe another Robert De Niro film will come along...'", conveying her selflessness and the pressure she felt.

"I couldn't have borne the thought of him being disappointed or missing out," she admitted, revealing the prioritisation of her partner's career dreams over her own desires.

Consequently, Esther shouldered the majority of parenting duties, saying, "So he worked and I did the bulk of the childcare."

Despite the challenges, Estherwhose bohemian upbringing inspired a novel and later a Kate Winslet filmacknowledged some rewards: "I did have what I wanted: I really wanted a family. I was prepared to pay almost any price for having one."

As time passed, however, Esther started feeling the weight of isolation: "That kept me going for years but then it occurred to me I was very lonely and I thought it would be incredible to also have a companion and someone I could trust. I guess your priorities shift."

Prior to walking down the aisle with her famous partner, Esther made a revelation about her intentions, saying she was "determine not to fall into being with absent men".

The author disclosed that she sought therapy following her early years spent travelling with her mother after her parents' separation.

"I was determined not to fall into being with absent men,' she explains. 'It took me a long time to realise: I've just fallen into it but at a slightly different angle'.

Consequently, she ended up doing most of the childcare while he worked.