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The most brilliant champion of Shakespeare in film since Olivier, Branagh was born into a working class family in Belfast, Northern Ireland. When he was nine years old, the family moved to Reading to escape 'the troubles'. Six years later, Branagh said he saw Derek Jacobi perform Hamlet and was so inspired, he applied to RADA. Working at the RSC and then his own theatre company Renaissance, he quickly won rave reviews for his acting. On the BBC series Fortunes of War he met Emma Thompson and two years later they were married. That same year (1989) Branagh sought to challenge the mantle owned by Olivier by starring in his own version of Henry V. His involvement in Shakespeare productions has continued to produce his most exceptional work: Hamlet and Love's Labours Lost were lavish, Much Ado About Nothing a triumph. His most recent screen appearance in Rabbit Proof Fence reminded everyone of his versatility, as did his stunning appearance in TV drama Shackleton.
