Best of British: Actors

After Heart's Best of British Weekend, we take a look at the greatest British actors over the years...

1. 1. Kate Winslet

   One of the true great British actresses, Kate Winslet won the Best Actress Oscar for her role in 'The Reader' in 2009. Her impressive filmography includes the likes of 'Titanic' and 'Moulin Rouge!'.

2. 2. Colin Firth

   Handsome thespian Colin Firth first stole our hearts as Mr. Darcy the 1995 television adaptation of Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice'. Last year, the 51-year-old won the Best Actor gong at the Oscars for his portrayal of King George IV in 'The King's Speech'.

3. 3. Daniel Radcliffe

   Who could be more British than the man who played Harry Potter? Daniel Radcliffe rose to fame as the boy wizard in the most successful film franchise of all time before going on to star in hit horror film The Woman In Black this year.

4. 4. Emma Watson

   Emma Watson played clever clogs Hermione Grainger in the Harry Potter film franchise. The 22-year-old most recently starred in 'My Week With Marilyn' opposite Michelle Williams.

5. 5. Rupert Grint

   Rounding off the trio of Harry Potter stars is Rupert Grint, who shot to stardom as Ron Weasley in the magical films. Grint has starred in 'Driving Lessons' and 'Wild Target' since the Harry Potter films.

7. 6. Robert Pattinson

   Robert Pattinson is one of the best paid actors in the world following his part as Edward Cullen in the 'Twilight' saga. He's been voted one of TIME's 100 Most Influential People and as one of Forbes' most powerful celebrities.

8. 7. Keira Knightley

   With recent estimates suggesting Keira Knightley is worth a cool £30 million, the recently engaged actress is one of the most successful stars around. She rose to global prominence after the huge success of 'Pirates of the Caribbean' before starring in the likes of 'Atonement' and 'Pride and Prejudice'.

9. 8. Hugh Grant

   For many, Hugh Grant is the quintessential British actor. Grant is charming and dashing in roles such as those in 'Love Actually', 'About A Boy' and 'Four Weddings and a Funeral'.

10. 9. Dame Helen Mirren

    Dame Helen Mirren is one of the most acclaimed actresses to come from these shores. The age-defying star won Best Actress at the Oscars in 2007 for her role as Queen Elizabeth II in 'The Queen'.

11. 10. Ewan McGregor

    Ewan McGregor has previously been ranked as the 37th Best Actor of All Time by Empire magazine. The Scottish actor is always a pleasure to watch on the silver screen, whether it's in the latest 'Star Wars' films or in his latest movie, 'Salmon Fishing in the Yemen'.

13. 11. Clive Owen

    Clive Owen won a BAFTA and a Golden Globe for his role in the 2004 film 'Closer', and has since gone on to become one of Hollywood's leading men. His CV includes the likes of 'The International' and 'Inside Man'.

14. 12. Emma Thompson

    Emma Thompson won Best Adapted Screenplay at the Oscars and Best Actress at the BAFTAs in 1993 for her work on 'Sense and Sensibility'. The 53-year-old has gone on to star in blockbusters like 'Love Actually' and the 'Harry Potter' films.

15. 13. Sean Connery

    Scottish actor Sean Connery played the first ever James Bond, a character synonymous with Britain. Over a glittering career, he's won an Academy Award, two BAFTA Awards and three Golden Globes.

16. 14. Daniel Craig

    ...Then there's the modern James Bond. Daniel Craig will play Bond for the third time this year in 'Skyfall', and the 44-year-old is also known for playing Mikael Blomkvist in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

17. 15. Helena Bonham Carter

    Helena Bonham Carter won the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role after her acclaimed turn in 2010 film 'The King's Speech'. A much loved actress, she is also known for starring in her director husband Tim Burton's films.

19. 16. Sir Ian McKellen

    Sir Ian McKellen is widely regarded to be one of the finest actors of all. He's known for roles such as Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings film trilogy, Magneto in the X-Men films, and as Sir Leigh Teabing in The Da Vinci Code. He has won multiple Laurence Olivier Awards and a Tony Award.

20. 17. Stephen Fry

    Stephen Fry is national treasure now best known as a TV personality, but the 54-year-old began his career as an actor. His credits include playing Oscar Wilde in 'Wilde' and starring as Melchett in 'Blackadder'.

21. 18. Dame Judi Dench

    Dame Judi Dench is one of this nation's greatest gifts to cinema. The 77-year-old won an Oscar for her turn as Queen Elizabeth I in the 1998 film 'Shakespeare In Love', and will be reprising her role as M in the upcoming James Bond feature 'Skyfall'.

22. 19. Hugh Laurie

    Until the conclusion of 'House' just this month, Hugh Laurie was the highest paid actor in a US drama on TV for his leading role in the show! The 52-year-old has also appeared in the likes of 'Stuart Little' and 'Sense and Sensibility'.

23. 20. Sir Anthony Hopkins

    In 1992, Sir Anthony Hopkins won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for just 16 minutes of screen time in 'Silence of the Lambs': a magnificent feat. The Welsh actor was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1993 for services to the arts and he has a star on the Hollywood walk of fame.

25. 21. Ray Winstone

    Ray Winstone has an impressive résumé, having starred in a range of blockbusters from 'Cold Mountain' and 'The Departed' to 'Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull' and 'Edge of Darkness'.

26. 22. Sir Michael Caine

    Sir Michael Caine is one of an elite few who have won two Oscars. The quintessentially British actor first won the Best Supporting Actor gong for the 1986 film Hannah and her Sisters, and the second for the 1999 movie The Cider Room Rules. Caine was knighted in 2000 for his contribution to cinema.

27. 23. Sir Patrick Stewart

    Over a career that has spanned seven consecutive decades, Sir Patrick Stewart has established himself as one of the finest British actors around. With one of the most distinctive voices in cinema, he's recognised for roles in 'Star Trek' and 'X-Men'.

28. 24. Julie Walters

    Julie Walters won Best Actress at the BAFTAs and the Golden Globes for the title role in 'Educating Rita' in 1983. She has since starred in 'Calendar Girls', and as Molly Weasley in the 'Harry Potter' film franchise.

29. 25. Sir Roger Moore

    Sir Roger Moore will always be an icon... he played secret agent James Bond longer than any other actor before or since!

31. 26. Lesley Sharp

    British actress Lesley Sharp has appeared in many TV and film roles, most recently in the cop show Scott and Bailey.

32. 27. Audrey Hepburn

    Hepburn in her classic pose in a black Givenchy dress, pearls and gloves.

33. 28. Tommy Steele

    British pop singer and actor Tommy Steele had several hits in the Sixties and appeared in musicals such as half A Sixpence and Finian's Rainbow.