Born and raised in South Africa

Moved to London to study at Webber-Douglas Academy

Feature film debut as a solider in the film "Yanks"

Appeared in title role in the British TV drama "The History Man"

Co-wrote script for and starred in "Mark Gertler Fragments of a Biography"

Joined the Royal Shakespeare Company; appeared as the Fool in "King Lear" and in the title role of "Tartuffe", among others

Had first major film role, the title role in "Shadey"

Played lead role in the West End production of Harvey Fierstein's "Torch Song Trilogy"

Published first book, "The Year of the King", a diary of his performances as "Richard III"

Published first novel "Middlepost"

Had lead role in Athol Fugard's play "Hello and Goodbye" at the Almeida Theatre

Wrote first teleplay "Changing Step" (BBC)

Enjoyed a stage success in title role of "Tamburlane the Great"

Starred in title role of "Gengis Cohn"

Played major supporting role of psychiatrist evaluating the lead in "The Young Poisoner's Handbook"

Created title role of "Stanley" in London production of Pam Gems play about British painter Stanley Spencer

Won plaudits for interpretation of title role of Shakespeare's "Titus Andronicus"; toured South Africa

Made Broadway debut reprising London role of "Stanley"

Gave a fine supporting turn as British Prime Minister Disraeli opposite Judi Dench's Queen Victoria in "(Her Majesty) Mrs. Brown", directed by John Madden

Played title role of "Cyrano de Bergerac" at the RSC and in the West End

Offered cameo as the apothecary in "Shakespeare in Love", directed by Madden

Directed by companion Gregory Doran in "The Winter's Tale"

Co-starred in the ITV/A&E production, "Horatio Hornblower: The Wrong War"

Starred as "Macbeth" at the Royal Shakespeare Company, directed by Doran; toured Japan in production; filmed for British TV and aired on New Year's Day 2001

Played composer Gustav Mahler in Ronald Harwood's play "Mahler's Conversion", staged by Doran