by Matt Wolf, The Observer Review Magazine, June 10, 2007

[article excerpt]

23) Damian Lewis

Age: 36

Training: Guildhall School of Music and Drama

Coming up: Iraq war movie The Situation. Also, a major new NBC cop drama, Life, to be aired in the US this autumn. Lewis is Charlie Crews, a detective returning to work after years in prison for a crime he did not commit.

Big break: "I've never had a big break -- more lots of mini-breaks" ... but his career took off in earnest after BBC's Hearts And Bones (2000).

Career high: "I've always loved being at the National. It is so romantic cycling across Waterloo Bridge."

Career low: "That cornflakes ad."

Would love to work with: "Cheek by Jowl, Shared Experience and Complicite. I'd like to work with Mark Rylance as well."

24) Helen McCrory

Age: 38

Training: Drama Centre

Coming up: Plays Dr. Victoria Frankenstein in an upcoming ITV version of the classic tale. Also to star opposite Daniel Craig in the film Flashbacks Of A Fool.

Inspiration: Bob Dylan

Big break: "Richard Eyre when he was at the National. He has helped me along more than anyone."

Favourite theatres: "The Almeida, Donmar and National, because of the people. In all three, the backstage and front-of-house are as involved with the play as the people on stage. I'll always ask the ushers what they thought of the previous night's show, because they'll give you an honest answer."

Why is British acting so good? "We practise it more than anyone else. We don't earn as much money so we've got to work all the time. We have a tradition of theatre, and you've really got to cut it in theatre."

Are you proud of being British? "Oh yeah."