IMDb Polls

Poll: Best Shakespearean-Trained British Movie & TV Actress

Every year on April 23rd, Shakespeare Day is celebrated worldwide on the date of his birth. In 2024, William Shakespeare's legacy remains undeniably enduring as we mark the 460th anniversary of his birth.

According to Wikipedia, "William Shakespeare (c. 23 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet, and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist .... His extant works, including collaborations, consist of some 39 plays, 154 sonnets, three long narrative poems, and a few other verses, some of uncertain authorship. His plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright. Shakespeare remains arguably the most influential writer in the English language, and his works continue to be studied and reinterpreted."

Today, his body of work is so well-regarded that performing it well is considered one of the best ways to learn the craft of acting. Worldwide, many actresses-in-training choose to hone their skills at performing arts schools and theater companies that utilize works of Shakespeare as their primary course of study. Many extol the virtue of such an approach; which both fine-tunes their existing talents and elevates them by developing new skill sets. In celebration of this milestone anniversary, Shakespeare's continuing legacy and the impact that Shakepearean-trained talent has on the quality of modern entertainment:

Which of these select British movie or television actresses who are Shakespearean-trained do you think is the best one?

Vote in the companion poll here: Shakespearean-Trained British Movie & TV Actors

Discuss the topic here.

Make Your Choice

  1. Vote!
     

    Judi Dench

  2. Vote!
     

    Tilda Swinton

  3. Vote!
     

    Vivien Leigh

  4. Vote!
     

    Rosamund Pike

  5. Vote!
     

    Helen Mirren

  6. Vote!
     

    Gemma Arterton

  7. Vote!
     

    Maggie Smith

  8. Vote!
     

    Emily Watson

  9. Vote!
     

    Emma Thompson

  10. Vote!
     

    Rebecca Hall

  11. Vote!
     

    Brenda Blethyn

  12. Vote!
     

    Shirley Henderson

  13. Vote!
     

    Lesley Manville

  14. Vote!
     

    Andrea Riseborough

  15. Vote!
     

    Vanessa Redgrave

  16. Vote!
     

    Marianne Jean-Baptiste

  17. Vote!
     

    Imelda Staunton

  18. Vote!
     

    Laura Donnelly

  19. Vote!
     

    Julie Walters

  20. Vote!
     

    Polly Walker

  21. Vote!
     

    Diana Rigg

  22. Vote!
     

    Gugu Mbatha-Raw

  23. Vote!
     

    Harriet Walter

  24. Vote!
     

    Indira Varma

  25. Vote!
     

    Janet Suzman

  26. Vote!
     

    Natasha Richardson

  27. Vote!
     

    Juliet Stevenson

  28. Vote!
     

    Natascha McElhone

  29. Vote!
     

    Peggy Ashcroft

  30. Vote!
     

    Janet McTeer

  31. Vote!
     

    Wendy Hiller

  32. Vote!
     

    Olivia Williams

  33. Vote!
     

    Glenda Jackson

  34. Vote!
     

    Alex Kingston

  35. Vote!
     

    Samantha Bond

    Another British Shakespearean-trained Actress Not Listed

    Samantha Bond (as pictured example)


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