Top 10 Eddie Redmayne Performances

We start with fire, brimstone and plenty of violence, as Redmayne leads a band of not-so-merry men through plague-era England. Eddie plays Osmund, a devout monk who teams up with Sean Bean’s gang of mercenaries, headed for a mysterious village as yet untouched by the Black Death. Legend says that something supernatural lays afoot, so will Osmund’s faith withstand what he finds? With a godly helping of gore, it’s a long way from Redmayne’s amiable off-screen persona.

Retitled “Murderous Intent” for the US DVD release in 2007, this movie was Redmayne’s first feature film. “Like Minds” sees Eddie star as Alex, a boarding school student who finds himself sharing with a death-obsessed roommate. From there, things get really rather weird. A psychological puzzle played out in a series of flashbacks, the film proves a platform for Redmayne’s trademark brand of unconventional style. At once charming and chilling, Alex is a character who gets in your head and stays there.

With boyish good looks and a well-rounded accent, Redmayne seems a shoo-in for period roles. And so, we head to Wessex, Thomas Hardy’s fictional country, for a four-part BBC adaptation of a literary classic. Eddie steps out as Angel Clare, one of two men tussling for Tess’ affections. The story isn’t as simple as Tess making the right choice, however. Redmayne strikes to the heart of a complicated character, uncovering an intense, and ultimately tragic, love triangle.

Eddie forms an unlikely trio with William Hurt and Kristen Stewart next, for an American indie remake of a Japanese classic. “The Yellow Handkerchief” sees Redmayne’s Gordy and Stewart’s Martine take a road trip across Louisiana, meeting fresh from prison Brett along the way. They’re headed for Brett’s ex-wife, but the journey soon transforms into a life-affirming trip for all three. Eddie’s southern tones seem reasonably authentic, and he shines as a geeky social outcast.

To another of Redmayne’s earliest film roles, and another pivotal part in a period drama. In Cate Blanchett’s second outing as Elizabeth I, The Virgin Queen is under pressure from Spain and her domestic rivals, led by Mary Queen of Scots. As the infamous Anthony Babington, immortalised by the Babington Plot, Eddie fronts an assassination attempt on the English ruler. He isn’t afforded bags of screen time, and dramatic licence develops the plot further than is historically accurate, but Eddie’s scenes are some of the movie’s most significant and memorable.

While Michelle Williams took most of the plaudits for her performance as Monroe, Redmayne’s turn as the superstar’s assistant and chaperone provides the perspective here. “My Week with Marilyn” focusses on the filming of “The Prince and the Showgirl”, and Marilyn’s brief stay in England. But Eddie’s Colin quickly becomes infatuated by her, with Redmayne scaling a full spectrum of emotions throughout the movie. From his initial youthful enthusiasm to a world-weary pint at his local, it’s quite the coming of age tale.

To one of Redmayne’s most famous roles, and his long-awaited induction into the Harry Potter universe. Released five years after the original saga ended, “Fantastic Beasts” sees Eddie head stateside, as an eccentric English collector of curious creatures. Armed with his wand and an inconspicuous suitcase, Newt Scamander is an unusual character (even amongst wizards) with unconventional interests ranging from the Niffler to the Bowtruckle. And this is just the first instalment of another magical adventure. Next stop, Paris.

A challenging role but one which Redmayne masters, “The Danish Girl” brings transgender issues to mainstream cinema. Eddie plays Einar Wegener, a prominent artist who identifies as female, and the movie tracks the painter’s journey to becoming Lili Elbe. A story based on David Eberschoff’s novel, which was inspired by the real-life Lili who lived in Denmark in the ‘20s, Redmayne is at the centre of many a tense or poignant moment. His performance saw him scoop Best Actor nominations throughout the 2016 awards season.

Time to stretch those vocal chords. Eddie’s part in the ensemble cast for the 2012 film version of “Les Mis” saw him star as social revolutionary, Marius. But when Pontmercy isn’t trying to overthrow the monarchy, he’s falling in love with Cosette, which could pose a troubling turn of events for Valjean. Redmayne’s musical highlights include a part in the rousing rendition of “One Day More”, and a lead for “Do You Hear the People Sing?”. It’s shivers down the spine stuff.

An Oscar-winning effort, Redmayne’s 2014 portrayal of Stephen Hawking put his credentials as a leading actor beyond doubt. Starring as the celebrated physicist, Eddie plays out Hawking’s formative years at Oxford, before and after the scientist was diagnosed with motor neurone disease. While parts of the movie were criticised for glossing over historical inaccuracies, Redmayne’s work was widely praised. Charting Hawking’s developing condition over a number of years, it proved a career-defining performance.