A British actor, born in Wiltshire, England. He studied when he was young in Ireland. He attended the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London for three years and graduated in 1993. He made his film debut in Stealing Beauty (1996). He attracted attention after his roles in the films Elizabeth and Shakespeare in Love, which were nominated for several Oscars. In addition to cinema, he worked on stage and became a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company.