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She’s been nominated for seven BAFTAs (winning one), seven Golden Globes (winning two), a couple of Oscars and an Emmy. She’s worked with armfuls of top directors including Steven Spielberg, Tim Burton and David Cronenberg. And 40 years ago, she created one of sitcom’s best-loved characters as the capricious Queen Elizabeth (Queenie to her pals) in Blackadder.

And now Miranda Richardson has proven herself so good she’s been cast not once but twice in Neil Gaiman’s Good Omens, first playing Madame Tracy in series one, and now taking on the tailor-made role of Shax, who becomes Hell’s representative on Earth after Crowley (David Tennant) gets fired.

What better time to revisit some of Miranda Richardson’s most memorable performances, from her impressive film debut in Dance With a Stranger to her more recent appearances in Harry Potter and Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None?...

Robbie Coltrane, the Scottish actor best known for portraying the lovable half-giant Hagrid in the “Harry Potter” film series, died October 14 in Lambert, Scotland, IndieWire has confirmed. He was 72.

Beginning his career as a theater and comic performer, Coltrane was a three-time BAFTA winner for his ’90s ITV drama series “Cracker.” After playing a memorable supporting role in the Pierce Brosnan Bond films “Goldeneye” and “The World is Not Enough,” he began his most well-remembered role in 2001, when he portrayed Hagrid in the first “Harry Potter” film. Coltrane appeared in all eight films in the series, and his portrayal of Hagrid won acclaim from fans. In 2006, Queen Elizabeth II honored him with an Order of the British Empire for his service to the arts.

As portrayed in J.K. Rowling’s original book, Hagrid is the half-giant groundskeeper of the magic school Hogwarts and a frequent and constant ally of Harry...

Robbie Coltrane, the Scottish actor who portrayed Rubeus Hagrid in the Harry Potter series, died Friday at age 72.

Notably known for his enchanting performance in Harry Potter, he also starred as the BAFTA award-winning character, Dr. Fitz in the critically acclaimed drama series Cracker. He had a successful comedy career in television with roles in Blackadder The Third, starring Rowan Atkinson and Alfresco, starring opposite Hugh Laurie and Emma Thompson.

He co-starred in Goldeneye and The World Is Not Enough as the iconic Bond villain, Valentin Zukovsky. Other memorable performances include Nuns on the Run; Oceans Twelve; The Adventures Of Huck Finn and The Pope Must Die.

Click above to launch a photo gallery with highlights from his career.

We’ve learned the very sad news today that veteran Scottish actor Robbie Coltrane, best known for his role in the Harry Potter movies, has passed away this week at the age of 72.

Deadline reports that Coltrane “passed away in hospital near his home in Larbert, Scotland. The award-winning actor had been in ill health for the past two years.”

Robbie Coltrane became beloved to Harry Potter fans around the world thanks to his role as the lovable Rubeus Hagrid in the hugely successful live action film franchise, a role he first played in 2001’s Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and continued to play straight through to the final film in the series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 in 2011.

Outside the world of Harry Potter, Robbie Coltrane amassed well over 100 additional film and television credits dating back to 1979, with notable projects including Krull (1983), National Lampoon’s European Vacation...

Hugh Laurie’s days as a television star go back well before he started playing the misanthropic Dr. Gregory House on House M.D.. In fact, as far back as the mid-1980s, he was making a name for himself on such cherished British comedy series as Black Adder the Third, Blackadder Goes Fourth, Jeeves and Wooster and A Bit of Fry and Laurie. Nonetheless, it was the role of Vicodin-popping diagnostician House that earned Laurie numerous awards, accolades, and a larger fan following.

Earlier this year, the actor was reported to be circling a role in the RoboCop reboot – which would’ve been his first major project, following the House series finale. However, a deal failed to materialize. Now, Laurie is instead in talks to return to the small screen for NBC’s high sails ...

Click to continue reading Hugh Laurie to Become Blackbeard in NBC’s ‘Crossbones’...

Yes Prime Minister.

Marc Dubonnet

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When you consider the fact that the BBC is a publicly funded organization it is perhaps not surprising that politicians have been a regular feature of both satires and drama shows in the UK. Some depictions of these political figures have been sympathetic but many have been less than flattering. For better or worse, the following individuals are 10 of the Best British TV politicians.

1. James Hacker (Paul Eddington) in Yes Minister. Jim Hacker must rank as one of Britian’s best loved and weakest prime ministers. All too often his decisions were made for him by the sinister Sir Humphrey Appleby. Fans didn’t mind much since the original show spawned a sequel, a radio version and most recently a stage play.

Blackadder

By Kieran Kinsella

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Without butlers the British would never have been able to solve any murders that involved the rich and famous. British TV butlers have always been key figures in both period dramas and anything involving Agatha Christie. With so many men in black to choose from, narrowing down the 10 best British TV butlers was no easy task but here are our men.

Blackadder (Rowan Atkinson) in Blackadder III. Blackadder III (to use his American name) treated all men in the same manner – with complete contempt. His dislike for fellow man was understandable given that he worked for a playboy prince (Hugh Laurie) and a man called Sod-off (Tony Robinson).

Angus Hudson (Gordon Jackson) in Upstairs Downstairs. In The Great Escape Gordon Jackson caused Richard Attenborough to get killed as a result...

Lots of actors make a movie or attempt to headline a television show, fail, and then vanish into obscurity. Maybe they resign themselves to character roles or bit parts, or they say "I'm going to concentrate on my family." It's noble, but time and time again we've seen these types burst back onto the public radar courtesy of a breakthrough role in a television series or film. Below is the first part of a list of the ones we think are the best and have since had the longest lasting impact. Feel free to suggest additions.

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Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle - Neil Patrick Harris

Granted, that poster was actually for the second Harold & Kumar movie, but the fact remains: that brief cameo in the stoner flick Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle gave Neil Patrick Harris an unprecedented bounce-back. After his child-star role in Doogie Howser, M.D.

Chicago – Legendary TV shows deserve legendary DVD sets and the “Ultimate Edition” release for the beloved “Blackadder” truly lives up to the often over-used “ultimate” title. Giving fans everything “Adder”-related that they could possibly ask for, this is the perfect gift this holiday season for fans of British television.

DVD Rating: 5.0/5.0

The glorious six-disc set for “Blackadder” includes every episode of the show digitally restored from the original program masters plus a host of all-new bonus features.

Blackadder Remastered: The Ultimate Edition was released on DVD on October 20th, 2009.

Photo credit: BBC Home Video

Starring Rowan Atkinson (“Bean”), Hugh Laurie (“House”), Stephen Fry, Tim McInnerny, Tony Robinson, Miranda Richardson, and more, the four-series program is a classic in England and has a legion of fans here in the States, and this set is good enough to make a few new “Adder”-holics on either side of the pond.

Each...

If it doesn’t already, it should sadden you that Rowan Atkinson’s most well known role is Mr. Bean. Sure, attempting to remove your underwear in public has its comedic merit, but only if you’ve never seen Atkinson’s stupendously idiotic turn as the self-appointed Black Adder in the times of olde. The series spans different eras with each of the seasons taking place in a new one. Then, to further the adventures of the unfortunately inept title character, three of the specials created after the series’ conclusion are included on their own disc. It’s not the first “all inclusive” set to be released but it does a good job rounding up most of the extras that have been created for the show over time – though true Black Adder connoisseurs will notice that some of the smaller events (The Shakespeare Sketch in 1989 or the theatrical show Blackadder:...