Daniel Mays' Ultra-Private Family Life: How Fatherhood Made the 'Believe Me' Star a Better Actor

Daniel Mays, the acclaimed British actor known for his gripping performances in Line of Duty and The Long Shadow, is back on screens with a chilling new role. In ITV's four-part true-crime drama Believe Me, he portrays convicted serial sex offender John Worboys in one of the darkest roles of his career. But off-camera, Mays leads a life far removed from the criminal underworld he often inhabits on screen. The 48-year-old actor has been married to his long-term partner, makeup artist Louise Burton, for seven years, and together they raise two children in a fiercely private home in North London.

Long-Term Marriage: A Love Story Built on Resilience

Daniel Mays and Louise Burton had already been together for 14 years before they finally tied the knot in August 2018. In an interview with The Guardian, Mays revealed that the decision to marry came after a devastating period for his wife. "Lou lost her parents in quick succession and it was a terrible blow for her," he said. "She was just rudderless. And it seemed right to do the wedding then, step up. We had an amazing day."

Nearly eight years later, the couple remains solid. They have lived in North London for the past decade, raising their two children away from the spotlight. Mays often shares heartfelt tributes on social media. In June 2025, he penned a sweet love letter to his wife, writing, "In a world moving so fast with so much going on, it's easy to forget the things that are most important in life. I love and appreciate you so much darlin'." Their bond, as detailed in Screenshot (550).png, is a testament to enduring love in the often-turbulent world of showbiz.

Two Kids: Mylo and Dixie - The Heart of His World

The couple are proud parents to a grown-up son and a teen daughter. Their first child, a son named Mylo, arrived in 2005 and is now around 20 years old. Mylo briefly followed in his father's footsteps, appearing in the West End production of Matilda. Mays once gushed that his son was his "best friend" and had "enriched [his] life." In a touching birthday tribute for Mylo's 16th birthday in November 2021, Mays wrote, "Thank you, my boy, for bringing light, love and laughter into our lives and for personally teaching me I'm not the most important person in the room! We are beyond proud of everything you have achieved and the man that you have become today."

The actor is also a devoted girl dad to his daughter Dixie, who turned 13 in October last year. Mays celebrated her milestone with a social media post, proclaiming he was "so proud of the beautiful, thoughtful, caring and hilarious young lady" she had become. During the pandemic, when his wife broke her leg, Mays stepped up as full-time carer and homeschooled Dixie. "That first month was insane," he recalled to The Guardian. "Lou was in plaster, my son was doing his mock exams in the attic and I was homeschooling my daughter downstairs." He also scored "massive Daddy brownie points" when he took Dixie to see Taylor Swift's sold-out Eras Tour in 2024, sharing a video montage of them singing along with the caption, "Memories to last a lifetime."

Fatherhood Made Him a Better Actor

Becoming a father didn't just change Mays personally—it transformed his craft. In a 2023 interview with the Big Issue, the actor opened up about how fatherhood made him a "better person and a better actor." He revealed that his first child was unexpected. "The first time it happened it was not on the cards, let's just put it that way. It was a kind of, oh my god moment. I was all at sea with what was going on, because it wasn't in the game plan at all."

But that surprise turned into a blessing. "Looking back now, it wasn't a curse in any way," Mays said. "It was an absolute blessing to me, because it forced me to become responsible. It actually made me a better person and a better actor, it galvanised me. Now I know it was the best thing that ever happened to me." This deep-seated sense of responsibility and emotional maturity is evident in his portrayal of complex characters like John Worboys. In Believe Me, Mays dives into the psyche of one of the UK's most prolific criminals, a role that requires immense emotional depth—depth that his personal life has undoubtedly enriched.

From 'Line of Duty' to 'Believe Me': A Career of Grit

Daniel Mays has built a reputation for himself in beloved British dramas. His resume includes standout roles in Line of Duty (as DCI Danny Waldron), The Long Shadow, Good Omens, and 1917. Believe Me marks a return to the true-crime genre that has captivated audiences worldwide. The drama centers on the real-life case of John Worboys, a serial sex offender who targeted women in London between 2002 and 2008. Mays' performance has already drawn critical praise for its restraint and humanity.

The actor's ability to balance dark roles with a grounded family life is a testament to his professionalism. In an industry known for its chaos, Mays remains a steadfast figure. His wife Louise, a makeup artist, often works behind the scenes, and together they have crafted a life that prioritizes family above all else. As Mays himself said in the Big Issue interview, "In a world moving so fast with so much going on, it's easy to forget the things that are most important in life." For Daniel Mays, those things are his wife, his kids, and the quiet joy of a private home in North London.

Disclaimer - All celebrity-related content, information, and images on this website are based on publicly available online sources and AI-generated insights/data. Information such as biography, age, career, personal details, and images may change without notice over time. While we strive for accuracy, we do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, reliability, or timeliness of any information or imagery displayed on this website. This content is provided for general informational purposes only.