“When I came into the acting profession, it was quite hierarchical. You didn't sit at the same table as the leading actor. Sir Laurence Olivier, Sir John Gielgud... these were very, very intimidating and powerful people.”

English actor

Dame Helen Mirren is an English actor. Regarded among Britain’s leading actors, she has built a career marked by major honours across film, television, and stage. Her awards include an Academy Award, three Golden Globe Awards, four BAFTA Awards, five Emmy Awards, a Tony Award, two Cannes Film Festival Awards, a Volpi Cup, and a Laurence Olivier Award. She is the only person to have achieved both the US and UK Triple Crowns of Acting. In 2003, Queen Elizabeth II made her a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire.