10. Helena Bonham Carter
You probably know ofHelena Bonham Carterfor three things: her role as Bellatrix Lestrange in theHarry Potterfilms, her prevalence in Tim Burton projects, and her eccentric characters in period pieces.
But her range as an actress goes well beyond that. For starters, she broke out with her role inA Room With a View, then propelled to stardom withThe Wings of the Dove. If not for that, she never would’ve been Tim Burton’s muse or Bellatrix Lestrange.
She’s great because she always brings a unique take to her roles. For example, as the unruly Marla Singer inFight Club, she gave off a cool and captivating Gothic look. Meanwhile, her take on Queen Elizabeth inThe King’s Speechmade her a warm and welcome presence.
Related:The best Tim Burton movies
9. Julie Andrews
Who could forget the incomparable, the legendaryDame Julie Andrews? She’s the quintessential British triple threat: she can sing, she can dance, she can act, and she can do it all at the same time.
Julie Andrews was able to shift her on-stage success into on-screen success, making her grand debut in her most successful role as Mary Poppins in the 1964 Disney musical adaptation.
She followed it up with more hit movie musicals, likeThe Sound of MusicandThoroughly Modern Millie, before venturing into family-friendly movies likeShrek 2,The Princess Diaries, andDespicable Me.
8. Keira Knightley
Everyone knowsKeira Knightleyfrom her popular role as the daring Elizabeth Swann in thePirates of the Caribbeanfranchise.
Elizabeth Swann’s ferocity and tenacity made her stand out in the pillaging Disney series, so much so that she received all kinds of offers and opportunities to showcase her acting range (despite Swann’s shaky arc).
Next to Swann, Keira Knightley is perhaps best known for her portrayal of Elizabeth Bennet inPride & Prejudice. In that film, Knightley gave us all of her charisma, humanity, and relatability while honoring the spirit of Bennet from Jane Austen’s original novel.
Keira Knightley has several other great films worth checking out, spanning genres from historical dramas (e.g.Atonement,Colette) to modern-day flicks (e.g.Begin Again,Everest). Her talents know no limits.
7. Maggie Smith
The grand name ofDame Maggie Smithhas mostly been attached to theater (for her numerous plays) and television (for her iconic role as Lady Violet Crawley inDownton Abbey). In film, she commonly works with ensemble casts yet still manages to be the standout performer.
Maggie Smith was awarded Academy Awards for her roles in the school dramaThe Prime of Miss Jean Brodieand the all-star comedyCalifornia Suite. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Her presence has been felt in numerous mainstream projects, includingClash of the Titans,Hook,Gosford Park, the twoSister Actmovies. Oh, and how could anyone forget her appearances in theHarry Pottermovies as the shapeshifting Professor Minerva McGonagall? She’s truly a legend.
6. Emily Blunt
Emily Bluntknows how to command a movie as the confident leading lady. Her versatility allows her to land roles in any genre, from period dramas to action thrillers, from tense horrors to quirky comedies, and even to voice acting roles in Disney projects.
In the mid-2000s, Blunt made a splash with the indie dramaMy Summer of Loveand the fashion-centric hitThe Devil Wears Prada. They became her ticket to bigger movies likeThe Young Victoria,Looper,Edge of Tomorrow,Sicario,Mary Poppins Returns, andA Quiet Place.
Related:The Best Movies About Fashion, Clothes, and Designers
5. Helen Mirren
When it comes to acting accolades,Dame Helen Mirrenhas no shortage of them. She’s still the only actress to achieve both American and British versions of the Triple Crown of Acting.
That means she’s won an Academy Award, an Emmy Award, and a Tony Award (in the US) as well as a BAFTA Film Award, a BAFTA Television Award, and a Laurence Olivier Award (in the UK).
Helen Mirren is frequently relied on to play monarchs of the Royal Family, with her greatest role inThe Queenfor which she won an Academy Award as the late Elizabeth II. Her other Oscar-nominated masterpieces includeThe Madness of King George,Gosford Park, andThe Last Station.
Related:The Best Movies About Royalty and The Royal Family, Ranked
4. Emma Thompson
Dame Emma Thompsonis one of the main thespians who come to mind when thinking of actors from Britain. She got her start in the romantic comedyThe Tall Guyas a quirky nurse named Kate who falls in love with Jeff Goldblum’s tall guy character.
Her name is mostly attached to film adaptations of classic British literature, such as her role as Professor Sybill Trelawney in theHarry Potterfilms. But her best performance to this day remains as Elinor Dashwood inSense and Sensibility.
Beyond that, Emma Thompson gained acclaim for bothThe Remains of the DayandIn the Name of the Father, and she even won her first Academy Award for playing Margaret Schlegel inHowards End.
Related:The best period piece drama movies
3. Elizabeth Taylor
The Golden Age of Hollywood was filled with iconic stars and talent that defined all the movies to come. One of those great actresses wasDame Elizabeth Taylor, whose acting ability, natural beauty, unabashed glamour, and physical features made her an instant icon.
Elizabeth Taylor made her first mark as a child actress in the sports filmNational Velvet. She then found success inFather of the Bride,A Place in the Sun,Giant,Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, andSuddenly, Last Summer. But her most iconic roles were inCleopatraandWho’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Related:The Best Actors During Hollywood’s Golden Age, Ranked
2. Kate Winslet
Kate Winsletis known as an actress who paved the way for greater portrayals of headstrong women. When you look at her filmography, you can’t help but be impressed by how she navigated the movie industry across so many genres to numerous successes.
After her impressive debut inHeavenly Creatures, she made splashes in the highly praised Jane Austen adaptationSense and Sensibilityand the super-successful romantic epicTitanic.
Kate Winslet then leaned into more costumed dramas likeQuills,Hamlet,Iris,A Little Chaos, andRevolutionary Road. Funny enough, despite winning a coveted Academy Award for her role inThe Reader, it was far from her best performance.
Related:The Best Indie Movies of the 2000s, Ranked
1. Judi Dench
To this day, there’s one British actress who stands at the head of all great British actresses:Dame Judi Dench.
Her body of work has made such a huge impact on the film industry and influenced so many actresses who followed after her. Even with her distinctively stern appearance, posture, and voice, she’s been able to adopt many different styles across various film projects.
Judi Dench brought her versatility to numerous Oscar-nominated projects, includingMrs. Brown,Iris,Mrs. Henderson Presents,Notes on a Scandal,Philomena, andBelfast. Despite all that, she got her Oscar for Elizabeth I inShakespeare in Love(despite little screentime).
And even after all of that, one could argue that her most famous and most memorable role will always be as M in the James Bond movies, starting withGoldenEyeand ending withSpectre. She’s surely proven her range.
