Helen Mirren

An intelligent, versatile actress, Mirren performed on the British stage during the 1960s and 1970s, playing Ophelia, Cleopatra, and other challenging roles. She made important film appearances in Excalibur (1981), The Comfort of Strangers (1991), Calendar Girls (2003), The Madness of King George (1994), and Gosford Park (2001); the two latter roles won her Oscar nominations. Mirren's portrayal of hard-bitten police inspector Jane Tennison in the PBS series Prime Suspect (1992 and ongoing) has brought her great popularity stateside, as well as winning her an Emmy.