The best Colin Firth movies of all time

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 the most sought-after actors.

Now 59, his career continues to flourish. He was recently thrust back into action in the First World War epic 1917, and in 2020 he’ll star alongside Julie Walters in The Secret Garden, a new film based on the beloved children’s novel.

Here, we look through some of his most iconic roles…

1917

This World War I epic won three awards at this year’s Oscars and seven gongs at the BAFTA film awards – and it deserved every single one of them. Based on director Sam Mendes’ grandfather’s wartime stories, Colin is totally compelling as a military leader who issues a mission to two of his soldiers that’s a matter of life and death. It’s seriously moving stuff.

Mary Poppins Returns

Fifty-four years after the original film, Disney made a practically perfect remake of the beloved classic loved by generations – with Colin making a brilliant appearance as the big bad bank boss, Mr Wilkins. Never one to disappoint, he made an utterly convincing villain as he threatened to snatch the Banks’ family home away.

The King’s Speech

Colin’s Oscar-winning turn came when he stepped into the shoes of King George VI in this triumphant British period drama. Set in the 1930s, he gave arguably one of the best performances of his career as he played out George’s struggle to overcome his stammer as he ascended to the throne. If you haven’t seen it yet, it’s well worth a watch.

Mamma Mia!

Showcasing both his singing skills and his dance moves, Colin proved that he can have a bit of fun too when he played bumbling posh boy Harry Bright in this musical hit. He even showed off his spectacular guitar skills too, playing the instrument for real when singing the song Our Last Summer. Could he get any more talented?

St Trinian’s

Rewind to 2007 and Colin was busy getting into character as the rather pompous Minister for Education, Geoffrey Thwaites, who threatens to shut down St. Trinian’s school. Once again, it became a huge success, which was undoubtedly owed in part to Colin’s superb acting.

Girl with a Pearl Earring

Who could forget Colin’s masterful performance as 17^th-century Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer? Scarlett Johansson played his maid, Griet, who soon attracted the artist’s attention - and the chemistry between them was electric.

Kingsman: The Secret Service

Colin Firth might not typically be a name you associate with action movies, but believe it or not, he makes a pretty good secret agent. Thanks to his role as suave super spy Harry Hart who takes a street kid (played by Taron Egerton), he won over a whole new generation of fans.

Love Actually

It’s one of the best rom-coms of all time - and would it be the same without Colin playing loveable writer Jamie? We think not! That moment where he declares his love in broken Portuguese and proposes to Aurélia will be remembered forever.

Bridget Jones’s Diary

It was almost impossible not to fall in love with Colin’s Mark Darcy as he vied for Bridget Jones' affections alongside the wicked Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant). And that infamous line – “I like you just the way you are” - makes us melt every time.

Shakespeare in Love

This fictional reimagining of Shakespeare’s life while he was writing Romeo and Juliet sees Colin in yet another love triangle - and this time, he’s competing with Shakespeare himself. His character, the Earl of Wessex, is insecure, humourless – and his love interest, Viola (Gwyneth Paltrow), simply isn't interested in him. But somehow, we still adore him anyway!

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