Had a peripatetic upbringing, living in various parts of England and in Ireland

Worked as a dresser at the National Theatre

Began stage career with the Young Vic Youth Theatre

West End debut in "The Woman in Black"

TV acting debut, "The Vacillations of Poppy Carew"

Was a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company

Made feature film debut in Bernardo Bertolucci's "Stealing Beauty"

Offered well-received turns as Troilus in "Troilus and Cressida" and Silvius in "As You Like It"

Played Robert Dudley, opposite Cate Blanchett, in "Elizabeth"

Portrayed William Shakespeare, opposite Gwyneth Paltrow, in the period romance "Shakespeare in Love"

Returned to the London stage in "Real Classy Affair"

Cast as one of three men attracted to the same woman in "The Very Thought of You/Martha, Meet Frank, Daniel and Laurence"

Co-starred in "Enemy at the Gates," with Jude Law and Ed Harris

Cast in title role of "Edward II" at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre; reprised role in London's West End in spring 2002

Starred opposite Heather Graham in the controversial romance "Killing Me Softly"

Cast as religious reformer Martin Luther in the biopic "Luther"

Appeared in the WWII drama "The Great Raid"

Starred in "The Merchant of Venice," a Shakespearian adaptation set in 16th century Venice

Played a gay schizophrenic in the film adaptation of Augusten Burroughs' "Running With Scissors"

Portrayed James Gregory, Mandela's censor officer and prison guard in "Goodbye Bafana" based on the book by Gregory titled Goodbye Bafana: Nelson Mandela, My Prisoner, My Friend

Cast as the Deputy Sheriff in the London play "2,000 Feet Away"

Cast as FBI agent Mark Benford in the ABC sci-fi series "FlashForward"