Attended schools in South Africa, though moved all over the world because of his father's job

Left South Africa for England to study at Cambridge University (date approximate)

Graduated from Cambridge and moved to the Notting Hill section of London

Worked at the Royal Court Theatre as an assistant director

Directed plays in London, Southampton, Sheffield and Florence

Co-wrote, with Richard Mahar, play "Private Dick," which received favorable reviews and won First Award in Edinburgh Fringe Festival

Joined Royal Shakespeare company; directed over a dozen plays

Directed play "Some Americans Abroad" (written by Richard Nelson); Michell nominated for a Drama Desk Award when it hit Broadway

Made television debut directing "Downtown Lagos," a miniseries for the BBC

Directed and co-wrote screenplay for award-winning miniseries "The Buddha of Suburbia" for the BBC2

Made a documentary for television, "Ready When You Are, Mr. Patel"

Made his feature debut directing Jane Austen's "Persuasion"

Directed "My Night With Reg," film version of the play he also directed

Directed dramatic film about Northern Ireland, "Titanic Town"

Directed romantic hit comedy "Notting Hill" starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant

Suffered a heart attack, which led to a break from filmmaking

Directed surprise hit "Changing Lanes" starring Samuel Jackson and Ben Affleck

Directed "The Mother" a story about a grandmother who has a passionate affair with a man half her age, who is also sleeping with her daughter

Directed the thriller "Enduring Love" about two strangers that become dangerously close after witnessing a deadly accident; starring Daniel Craig, Rhys Ifans and Samantha Morton

Helmed "Venus" starring Peter O'Toole and Leslie Phillips as two eccentric veterans of the stage