Helen Mirren

Dame Helen Mirren was born in Hammersmith in 1945 and is one of few performers to have received a Triple Crown of Acting. She trained at the National Youth Theatre from the age of 18 where she played Cleopatra in the NYT production of Antony and Cleopatra at the Old Vic, which marked the start of her acting career. Since then, she has been internationally revered for her work as an actress.

Many of her early career performances were with the Royal Shakespeare Company include shows such as The Revenger’s Tragedy, Troilus and Cressida and Enemies. Mirren has also graced the stage in many West End performances, beginning with the Royal Court Theatre’s Teeth ‘n’ Smiles, playing the role of Maggie. In 2013, she played Elizabeth II in the world premiere of The Audience at the Gielgud Theatre. This role won Mirren the Olivier Award for Best Actress; she also reprised her role in Broadway in 2015 at the Gerald Schoenfield Theatre along with cast members Richard McCabe, Geoffrey Beavers and Michael Elwyn. At the National Theatre, she has starred in Mourning Becomes Electra and Phedre alongside Dominic Cooper. Read a Phedre review starring Helen Mirren here.

Outside the theatre, Mirren has performed in numerous film roles. Notably, she's starred in The Queen, The Hundred-Foot Journey and The Madness of King George.