Ralph Fiennes has long been celebrated as one of the most popular and acclaimed actors to hail from Britain, but even he has his misfires. Known for his commanding presence and intense performances, Fiennes first gained international recognition in the 1990s with his chilling portrayal of the Nazi war criminal Amon Göth in Steven Spielberg's Schindler's List, a role that earned him an Academy Award nomination and BAFTA award for Best Supporting Actor. He followed this success with another Oscar-nominated performance in The English Patient, solidifying his reputation for taking on complex, dramatic characters.

Nonetheless, Fiennes' ability to balance commercial success with artistic projects has been a hallmark of his career. He brought a new energy to the iconic role of M in the James Bond franchise, beginning with Skyfall in 2012, and charmed audiences in Wes Anderson’s colorful The Grand Budapest Hotel as the whimsical and polished Gustave H.