Last updated on the 23 August 2024 by Maeve

Mini Biography

Born: 10 December 1960, Belfast, Northern Ireland. 

Kenneth Branagh was the middle child in a working-class Protestant family, with an older brother, William Jr. and a younger sister, Joyce. Growing up in the Tigers Bay area of Belfast, Branagh’s early years were marked by the political turmoil of the Troubles. To escape the escalating violence, his family moved to Reading, Berkshire, England, when he was nine years old. This move had a profound impact on Branagh, who adopted an English accent to avoid being bullied at his new school.

Branagh’s interest in acting began during his school years, where he participated in school plays. His passion for the stage led him to pursue formal training at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London. He graduated from RADA in 1981 and just six weeks later, he made his professional stage debut. His time at RADA was instrumental in shaping his career, providing him with the skills and opportunities to excel in the world of theatre and film.

Kenneth Branagh’s career is a testament to his versatility and talent as both an actor and a filmmaker. He joined the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) at the age of 23, where he took on starring roles in productions such as “Henry V” and “Romeo and Juliet”. However, he soon found the RSC too large and impersonal, leading him to form his own company, the Renaissance Theatre Company, which now counts King Charles as one of its royal patrons.

Branagh’s directorial debut came with the film adaptation of “Henry V” in 1989, where he also starred in the title role. The film was a critical success, earning him Academy Award nominations for Best Actor and Best Director. He continued to bring Shakespeare to mainstream audiences with his hit adaptation of “Much Ado About Nothing” in 1993, which featured an all-star cast including Denzel Washington, Michael Keaton and Keanu Reeves.

In addition to his work with Shakespearean adaptations, Branagh has directed and starred in a variety of films, including “Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein” (1994), “Thor” (2011), and “Cinderella” (2015). His semi-autobiographical film “Belfast” (2021) received critical acclaim, earning him an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. Branagh has also portrayed the iconic detective Hercule Poirot in films such as “Murder on the Orient Express” (2017) and “Death on the Nile” (2022).

Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson were married from 1989 to 1995. The couple was often referred to as the “golden couple” of British cinema, but their marriage ended in divorce due to Branagh’s affair with actress Helena Bonham Carter. Branagh and Bonham Carter continued their relationship until 1999.

In 2003, Branagh married film art director Lindsay Brunnock.

WINNER | Film: Achievement in Direction for Henry V (1990)  | Television: Leading Actor for Wallander (2010)  | Film: Outstanding British Film for Belfast (2022) 

WINNER | Best Original Screenplay for Belfast (2022)

Suggested viewing

Fortunes of War (1987)

Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 7.8

Fortunes of War is a BBC television adaptation of Olivia Manning’s cycle of novels. Set during the early part of the Second World War, it follows Guy Pringle, an English Literature lecturer in Bucharest and his wife Harriet. Amidst the war’s turmoil, they encounter a diverse cast of characters while facing personal conflicts.

Top cast: Emma Thompson, Kenneth Branagh, Robert Stephens, Rupert Graves, Ronald Pickup, Charles Kay, Alan Bennett, Ronald Hines.

This England (2022)

Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 6.7

A drama that chronicles the chaotic early days of new Prime Minister Boris Johnson as he confronts a rapidly escalating global pandemic. The story unfolds within the halls of government, following both political maneuvering and the human cost of the crisis, weaving together the perspectives of overwhelmed healthcare workers and everyday citizens struggling to survive.

Top cast: Kenneth Branagh, Simon Paisley Day, Ophelia Lovibond, Andrew Buchan, Derek Barr, James Corrigan, Jimmy Livingstone, Simon Lowe.

Related to

A Haunting in Venice (2023)

Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 6.7

Set in post-World War II Venice, Agatha Christie’s iconic detective, Hercule Poirot, finds himself reluctantly drawn into a seance. However, the evening takes a sinister turn when a guest is brutally murdered. With his detective instincts still sharp, Poirot must step out of retirement and unravel the web of secrets to identify the cunning killer lurking among them. As the city of Venice becomes a backdrop for mystery, suspense, and deception, Poirot’s deductive prowess is put to the ultimate test.

Top cast: Kenneth Branagh, Tina Fey, Michelle Yeoh, Jamie Dornan, Kelly Reilly, Kyle Allen, Camille Cottin, Emma Laird, Ali Khan, Jude Hill.

Directed by Kenneth Branagh.

Shackleton (2002)

Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.6

“Shackleton”, directed by Charles Sturridge, tells the awe-inspiring true story of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ill-fated 1914-1916 Antarctic expedition. After their ship, Endurance, becomes trapped in ice, Shackleton and his crew face relentless hardships and unimaginable challenges in their quest for survival. Their remarkable journey showcases the indomitable human spirit in the face of adversity.

Top cast: Kenneth Branagh, John Grillo, Phoebe Nicholls, Eve Best, Mark Tandy, Mark Williams, Ian Mercer, Lorcan Cranitch, Kevin McNally.

Belfast (2021)

Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.3

“Belfast” is a heartfelt coming-of-age story set in the tumultuous 1960s. Young Buddy navigates his way through the challenges of growing up in a divided city, finding solace in his loving family and the power of music. It is a tale of resilience, love and finding hope in the midst of adversity.

Top cast: Jude Hill, Caitríona Balfe, Jamie Dornan, Judi Dench, Ciarán Hinds, Colin Morgan, Lara McDonnell, Lewis McAskie, Gerard Horan.

Directed by Kenneth Branagh.

Death on the Nile (2022)

Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 6.3

In Agatha Christie’s “Death on the Nile”, detective Hercule Poirot finds himself aboard a luxurious Nile cruise when a young heiress is murdered. With a boat full of suspects and a tangle of motives, Poirot must unravel the truth behind the crime before the ship reaches its destination.

Top cast: Kenneth Branagh, Gal Gadot, Tom Bateman, Armie Hammer, Emma Mackesy, Letitia Wright, Sophie Okonedo, Annette Bening.

Directed by Kenneth Branagh.

Wallander (2008)

Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 7.8

Wallander is a Swedish detective series based on the novels by Henning Mankell. The story follows Kurt Wallander, a troubled and dedicated police inspector, as he solves complex crimes in the town of Ystad. With a brooding atmosphere and intense character development, Wallander delves into the dark underbelly of human nature.

Top cast: Kenneth Branagh, Sarah Smart, Tom Hiddleston, Richard McCabe, Jeany Spark, David Warner, Sadie Shimmin, Tom Beard.

Henry V (1989)

Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.5

In Shakespeare’s “Henry V”, the young king of England embarks on a campaign to reclaim the French throne. Despite being outnumbered, Henry V inspires his troops with rousing speeches and displays of leadership. The play explores themes of war, leadership and the complexities of national identity, culminating in the famous Battle of Agincourt.

Top cast: Kenneth Branagh, Derek Jacobi, Brian Blessed, James Larkin, Paul Schofield, Emma Thompson, Judi Dench, Simon Shepherd, James Simmons.

Directed by Kenneth Branagh.

Hamlet (1996)

Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.7

In Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”, Prince Hamlet of Denmark seeks revenge for his father’s murder by his uncle Claudius. Struggling with his own sanity and haunted by his father’s ghost, Hamlet contemplates life, death, and the nature of reality. The play delves into themes of betrayal, madness, and the consequences of inaction.

Top cast: Kenneth Branagh, Derek Jacobi, Kate Winslet, Julie Christie, Richard Briers, Nicholas Farrell, Rufus Sewell, Reece Dinsdale, Timothy Spall.

Directed by Kenneth Branagh.

Murder on the Orient Express (2017)

Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 6.5

In Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Orient Express”, renowned detective Hercule Poirot finds himself aboard the luxurious train when a passenger is found dead. With a limited pool of suspects and an intricate web of secrets, Poirot must unravel the truth behind the murder before the train reaches its destination.

Top cast: Kenneth Branagh, Tom Bateman, Michelle Pfeiffer, Lucy Boynton, Johnny Depp, Josh Gad, Willem Dafoe, Judi Dench, Derek Jacobi, Leslie Odom Jr.

Directed by Kenneth Branagh.

Much Ado About Nothing (1993)

Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.3

In Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing” , a group of friends gathers at a Tuscan estate. The story revolves around two couples: Beatrice and Benedick, whose witty banter conceals their true feelings, and Hero and Claudio, whose love is threatened by malicious schemes. Through mistaken identities and comedic misunderstandings, the play explores themes of love, deception, and the power of language.

Top cast: Emma Thompson, Kenneth Branagh, Robert Sean Leonard, Kate Beckinsale, Denzel Washington, Richard Briers, Imelda Staunton, Keanu Reeves, Michael Keaton.

Directed by Kenneth Branagh.

Wikipedia (full filmography as actor)

Wikipedia (full filmography as director)