FIRTH IMPRESSIONS

Colin Firth looks back at the moments that define his career

Ahead of the release of the new film adaptation of The Secret Garden, its star Colin Firth revisits some of his career-defining roles

Colin Firth’s career has been one success after another. From his iconic role as the dashing Mr Darcy in the 1995 adaptation of Pride And Prejudice to his Oscar-winning turn in The King’s Speech, he’s become one of our most sought-after actors. He’s 59 now and his career continues to flourish. He was recently thrust back into action in the First World War epic 1917, and this April, he’ll star alongside Julie Walters in The Secret Garden, a new film based on the beloved children’s novel. Last December, he and wife Livia Giuggioli announced they were separating but would maintain a ‘close friendship’. The couple have two children, Luca, 18, and Matteo, 16. Colin also has an older son Will, 29. Here, he recalls some of his favourite roles…

Often I played the angry frothing one and Hugh Grant gets all the laughs!

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE (1995) ‘This was a great role and it was a major event in my career, certainly. But I don’t think it was all that helpful, because it tended to create this image that can restrict what kind of roles you are going to be able to find. Looking good and strutting around is very boring. I wanted to do other things as an actor.’

LOVE ACTUALLY (2003) ‘There was this large ensemble cast and that meant I wasn’t carrying anything. I was just having a holiday on a film.’

GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING (2003) ‘I did enormous research to play Vermeer. I felt I had to get to know him, but still maintain his air of mystery.’