Editing Colin Firth (section)

== Career ==
=== 1983–1995: Early work and breakthrough ===
Firth played [[Prince Hamlet|Hamlet]] in the Drama Centre end-of-year production, and in 1984, Firth made his film debut as Tommy Judd, Guy Bennett's [[Heterosexuality|straight]], [[Marxist]] school friend in the [[Another Country (1984 film)|screen adaptation of the play Another Country]] (with [[Rupert Everett]] as Guy Bennett).<ref>{{cite web|title=Another Country|url=http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b69a34447|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120713182053/http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b69a34447|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 July 2012|work=BFI Film|publisher=BFI|access-date=27 January 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=How we met: Colin Firth & Julian Mitchell|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/how-we-met-colin-firth--julian-mitchell--rupert-everett-was-a-complete-bd-to-me-9202649.html|access-date=14 April 2014 | work=The Independent|first=Adam|last=Jacques|date=23 March 2014}}</ref> It was the start of a longstanding public feud between Firth and Everett, which was eventually resolved.<ref name=Heraldsun2008>{{cite news|last=Fenton|first=Andrew|title=Colin Firth has ended his feud with Rupert Everett|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/movies/firth-class-bully/story-e6frf9h6-1111115901547|access-date=27 January 2013|newspaper=Herald Sun|date=27 March 2008|quote="Everett publicly branded Firth 'boring' and classified him as 'a ghastly guitar-playing redbrick socialist who was going to give his first half-million away to charity'. 'We didn't get along very well the first time we worked together,' Firth says simply. 'I think he was probably terribly threatened because I was an awful lot better than him.'" There is some truth to this because in Everett's 2006 autobiography, the gay actor admits he fancied, and felt threatened by, Firth at the time.}}</ref> He starred with Sir [[Laurence Olivier]] in ''[[Lost Empires]]'' (1986), a TV adaptation of [[J. B. Priestley]]'s novel.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.bbcamerica.com/anglophenia/2011/10/lose-yourself-with-colin-firth-in-lost-empires|title=Lose Yourself With Colin Firth in 'Lost Empires' {{!}} BBC America|work=BBC America|access-date=17 April 2018}}</ref>

In 1987, Firth and other up-and-coming British actors such as [[Tim Roth]], [[Bruce Payne]] and [[Paul McGann]] were dubbed the '[[Brit Pack (actors)|Brit Pack]]'.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Van Poznak|first=Elissa|title=The Brit Pack|magazine=The Face|date=January 1987|issue=81|pages=36–39|url=http://www.agwlbp.com/facejan.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007181058/http://www.agwlbp.com/facejan.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=7 October 2011|access-date=10 November 2019}}</ref> That year, he appeared with [[Kenneth Branagh]] in the film version of [[J. L. Carr]]'s ''[[A Month in the Country (film)|A Month in the Country]]''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/09/27/movies/film-festival-month-in-the-country-from-director-of-cal.html|title=Film Festival; 'Month in the Country,' From Director of 'Cal'|work=[[The New York Times]]|last=Maslin|first=Janet|date=27 September 1987 |access-date=17 April 2018}}</ref> Sheila Johnston observed a theme in his early work of playing those traumatised by war.<ref name="ShuaibBFI" /> He portrayed real-life British soldier [[Robert Lawrence (British Army officer)|Robert Lawrence]] [[Military Cross|MC]] in the 1988 BBC dramatisation ''[[Tumbledown]]''. Lawrence was severely injured at the [[Battle of Mount Tumbledown]] during the [[Falklands War]], and the film details his struggles to adjust to his disability whilst confronted with indifference from the government and public. It attracted controversy at the time, with criticism coming from left and right sides of the political spectrum.<ref name="ShuaibBFI">{{cite web|last=Shuaib|first=Keith|title=Tumbledown (1988)|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/tv/id/727545/index.html|work=BFI Screenonline|publisher=BFI|access-date=30 January 2013}}</ref> Despite this, the performance brought Firth a Royal TV Society Best Actor Award, and a nomination for the 1989 [[BAFTA]] [[British Academy Television Awards|Television Award]].<ref name="BAFTA Television | Actor in 1989">{{cite web|title=Television Actor in 1989|url=http://awards.bafta.org/award/1989/television/actor|work=BAFTA Awards|publisher=BAFTA|access-date=30 January 2013}}</ref> In 1989, he played the title role in [[Miloš Forman]]'s ''[[Valmont (film)|Valmont]]'', based on ''[[Les Liaisons dangereuses]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Szabo|first=Julia|title=Going Firth Class|magazine=[[Mademoiselle (magazine)|Mademoiselle]]|date=November 1989|url=http://www.firth.com/articles/89_11mademoiselle.html|access-date=24 January 2013}}</ref> Released just a year after ''[[Dangerous Liaisons]]'', it did not make a big impact in comparison. That year he also played a paranoid, socially awkward character in the [[Argentinian]] psychological thriller ''[[Apartment Zero]]''.<ref name="Andrew-zero">{{cite web|last=Andrew|first=Geoff|title=Apartment Zero|url=https://www.timeout.com/london/film/apartment-zero|work=[[Time Out London]]|date=10 September 2012 |access-date=30 January 2013}}</ref>

Firth finally became a British household name through his role as the aloof, haughty aristocrat [[Mr. Darcy]] in the 1995 [[BBC]] television adaptation of [[Jane Austen]]'s ''[[Pride and Prejudice (1995 TV series)|Pride and Prejudice]]''. Producer Sue Birtwistle's first choice for the part, he was eventually persuaded to take it despite his unfamiliarity with Austen's writing.<ref name="nyt 01141996">{{cite news|last=Grimes|first=William|title=An Austen Tale of Sex and Money in Which Girls Kick Up Their Heels|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/01/14/tv/cover-story-an-austen-tale-of-sex-and-money-in-which-girls-kick-up-their-heels.html|access-date=22 January 2013|newspaper=The New York Times|date=14 January 1996}}</ref> He and co-star [[Jennifer Ehle]] began a romantic relationship during the filming, which received media attention only after their separation.<ref name=twice_shy>{{cite news |last=Steiner |first=Susie |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2001/mar/31/features.weekend |title=Twice Shy |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=31 March 2001 |access-date=20 May 2008}}</ref> Sheila Johnston wrote that Firth's approach to the part "lent Darcy complex shades of coldness, even caddishness, in the early episodes".<ref name=ShuaibBFI/> The series was an international success and unexpectedly elevated Firth to stardom<ref name=twice_shy />{{mdash}}in some part due to a scene not from the novel, where he emerges from a lake swim in a wet shirt.<ref name="Me Sexy? only to that crazy Bridget Jones">{{cite web|url=http://www.firth.com/articles/03vanfair_italy_oct.html|title=Vanity Fair (Italy), Oct 16, 2003, article on Colin Firth|last=Karen|website=www.firth.com|access-date=6 July 2012|archive-date=4 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100204134416/http://www.firth.com/articles/03vanfair_italy_oct.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Although he did not mind being recognised as "a romantic idol as a Darcy with smouldering sex appeal"<ref name=nyt_sexy>{{cite news |last=James |first=Caryn |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/29/movies/29jame.html |title=Austen Powers: Making Jane Sexy |work=The New York Times|date=29 July 2007 |access-date=17 May 2007}}</ref> in a role that "officially turned him into a heart-throb",<ref name=renaissance>{{cite news |last=Ryan |first=Tom |url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/03/03/1078295440766.html |title=Renaissance man |work=[[The Age]] |date=6 March 2004 |access-date=25 May 2008}}</ref> he expressed the wish not to be associated with ''Pride and Prejudice'' forever.<ref name=ae_magazine>{{cite magazine |last=Passero |first=Kathy |title=Pride, Prejudice and a Little Persuasion |magazine=[[A&E Network|A&E]] Monthly |date=December 1996}}</ref> He was, therefore, reluctant to accept similar roles and risk becoming [[typecast]].<ref name="Colin Firth" />

===1996–2008: Romance and ensemble films ===
For a time, it did seem as if Mr. Darcy would overshadow the rest of Firth's career, and there were humorous allusions to the role in his next five movies.<ref name="guardian-1-1-2011">{{cite news|last=Petterson|first=John|title=Colin Firth has left his posh acting peers in the dust. Give him the Oscar for The King's Speech now|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2011/jan/01/colin-firth-kings-speech|access-date=28 January 2013|newspaper=The Guardian|date=1 January 2011}}</ref> The most notable was his casting as the love interest [[Mark Darcy]] in the [[Bridget Jones's Diary|film adaptation]] of ''[[Bridget Jones's Diary (novel)|Bridget Jones's Diary]]'', itself a modern-day retelling of ''Pride and Prejudice''. Firth accepted the part as he saw it as an opportunity to lampoon his Mr. Darcy character.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Faillaci |first=Sara |title=Me Sexy? |magazine=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] |location=Italy |date=16 October 2003}}</ref> The film was very successful<ref name=BoxofficemojoBJD>{{cite web|title=Bridget Jones's Diary box office|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=bridgetjonessdiary.htm|work=Box Office Mojo|publisher=IMDb.com, Inc|access-date=28 January 2013}}</ref> and critically well-liked.<ref name="rotten tomatoes BJD">{{cite web|title=Bridget Jones's Diary Reviews top critics|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/bridget_jones_diary/reviews/?type=top_critics|work=Rotten Tomatoes|publisher=Flixster, Inc.|access-date=28 January 2013}}</ref> A [[Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (film)|2004 sequel]] was mostly panned by critics<ref name="BJDEOR rotten tomatoes">{{cite web|title=Bridget Jones – The Edge of Reason (2004)|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/bridget_jones_the_edge_of_reason/|work=Rotten Tomatoes|publisher=Flixster, Inc.|access-date=28 January 2013}}</ref> but still financially successful.

Prior to this, Firth had a significant supporting role in ''[[The English Patient (film)|The English Patient]]'' (1996) as the husband of [[Kristin Scott Thomas]]'s character, whose jealousy of her adultery leads to tragedy. That year he also played the husband of the character of Kristin's sister, [[Serena Scott Thomas]], in the television miniseries ''[[Nostromo (TV series)|Nostromo]]''. Of the two he said "Serena was a much more faithful wife."

He next played the lead role as a school teacher and obsessed [[Arsenal F.C.]] [[association football|football]] fan in the romantic fictional adaptation ''[[Fever Pitch (1997 film)|Fever Pitch]]'' (1997) of [[Nick Hornby]]’s million-selling autobiographical essay ''[[Fever Pitch: A Fan's Life]]''.

He had parts in light [[Romance film|romantic]] [[Costume drama|period pieces]] such as ''[[Shakespeare in Love]]'' (1998), ''[[Relative Values (film)|Relative Values]]'' (2000) and ''[[The Importance of Being Earnest (2002 film)|The Importance of Being Earnest]]'' (2002).  He appeared in several television productions, including ''Donovan Quick'' (an updated version of ''[[Don Quixote]]'') (1999),<ref name="Johnston-BFI">{{cite web|last=Johnston|first=Sheila|title=Firth, Colin (1960–)|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/873595/index.html|work=BFI Screenonline|publisher=BFI|access-date=30 January 2013}}</ref> and had a more serious role as Dr. [[Wilhelm Stuckart]] in ''[[Conspiracy (2001 film)|Conspiracy]]'' (2001), concerning the Nazi [[Wannsee Conference]], for which he was nominated for a [[Primetime Emmy Award]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emmys.com/celebrities/colin-firth|title=Colin Firth|work=Television Academy}}</ref>

Firth featured in the ensemble all-star cast of [[Richard Curtis]]'s ''[[Love Actually]]'' (2003), another financial success<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movies/2003/LVACT.php |title=Love Actually at TheNumbers.com |publisher=The-numbers.com |access-date=16 August 2011}}</ref> which divided critics.<ref>{{cite news|last=Wloszczyna |first=Susan |url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2003-11-04-curtis-profile_x.htm |title=USA Today review |work=USA Today  |date=5 November 2003 |access-date=16 August 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=A. O. |last=Scott |url=https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9804E3D7153BF934A35752C1A9659C8B63 |title=Tales of Love, the True and the Not-So-True |department=Film Review |work=The New York Times |date=7 November 2003 |access-date=16 August 2011}}</ref> He was also given solo billing as the romantic lead in ''[[Hope Springs (2003 film)|Hope Springs]]'', but it received very poor reviews<ref>{{cite news|last=Bradshaw|first=Peter|title=Hope Springs Our Review|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/movie/95120/hope.springs|access-date=29 January 2013|newspaper=The Guardian|quote=It made me want to tumble off the red plush seats, curl up into a foetal ball and mew like a maltreated kitten|date=21 July 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Anna|title=Hope Springs Review|url=https://www.empireonline.com/reviews/ReviewComplete.asp?FID=8899|work=Empire|access-date=29 January 2013}}</ref> and made little box-office impact.<ref name=Hopespringsboxoffice>{{cite web|title=Hope Springs box office|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=intl&country=UK&id=hopesprings.htm|work=Box Office Mojo|publisher=IMDb.com, Inc.|access-date=29 January 2013}}</ref> He starred as [[Amanda Bynes]]' character's father in the 2003 teen comedy ''[[What a Girl Wants (film)|What A Girl Wants]]'', which was based on the play ''[[The Reluctant Debutante (play)|The Reluctant Debutante]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Colin Firth - IMDb |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000147/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_3_tt_1_nm_7_q_colinf |website=IMDb |access-date=15 August 2023}}</ref> He played painter [[Johannes Vermeer]] opposite [[Scarlett Johansson]] in the 2003 release ''[[Girl with a Pearl Earring (film)|Girl with a Pearl Earring]]''; some critics praised the film's subtlety<ref name="December 26, 2003">{{cite news|last=Ebert|first=Roger|title=Girl with a Pearl Earring, December 26, 2003|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/girl-with-a-pearl-earring-2003|work=RogerEbert.com|access-date=30 January 2013|date=26 December 2003}}</ref> and sumptuous visuals,<ref name="McCarthy-09-01-2003">{{cite news|last=McCarthy|first=Todd|title=Girl With a Pearl Earring|url=https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117921673/?categoryid=31&cs=1|work=Variety reviews, Mon, Sep. 1, 2003|access-date=30 January 2013}}</ref> whilst others found it almost restrained, tedious and bereft of emotion.<ref name="Time Dec. 08, 2003">{{cite magazine|last=Schickel|first=Richard|title=Seven Holiday Treats|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1101031215-557084-3,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060928073950/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1101031215-557084-3,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 September 2006|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|access-date=30 January 2013|date=8 December 2003}}</ref> Nevertheless, it received mostly favourable reviews, was moderately successful<ref name="GWPE RT">{{cite web|title=Girl With Pearl Earring (2003) ratings|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/girl_with_a_pearl_earring/|work=Rotten Tomatoes|publisher=Flixster, Inc.|access-date=30 January 2013}}</ref> and earned several awards and nominations.

[[File:Colin Firth 2005.jpg|thumb|upright|Firth at the premiere of ''[[Nanny McPhee]]'' in 2005]]

In 2005 Firth appeared in ''[[Nanny McPhee]]'' with [[Emma Thompson]], in which he plays a struggling widowed father, it was a rare venture for him into the [[Fantasy film|fantasy]] genre.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2005/film/reviews/nanny-mcphee-1200520776/|title=Film Review: 'Nanny McPhee'|last=Felperin|first=Leslie|date=24 October 2005|work=Variety|access-date=17 April 2018}}</ref> He also appeared in ''[[Where the Truth Lies]]'', a return to some of his darker, more intense early roles, that included a notorious scene featuring a [[bisexual]] [[orgy]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/3648270/Is-that-Mr-Darcy-taking-part-in-an-orgy.html|title=Is that Mr Darcy taking part in an orgy?|last=Johnston|first=Sheila|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=26 November 2005|access-date=17 April 2018|issn=0307-1235}}</ref> Sheila Johnston wrote that it "confounded his fans", but nonetheless that his character "draws knowingly on that suave, cultivated persona",<ref name="Johnston-26 Nov 2005">{{cite news|last=Johnston|first=Sheila|title=Is that Mr Darcy taking part in an orgy?|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/3648270/Is-that-Mr-Darcy-taking-part-in-an-orgy.html|access-date=30 January 2013|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=26 November 2005}}</ref> which could be traced from Mr. Darcy. Other films from this time included ''[[Then She Found Me]]'' (2007) with [[Helen Hunt]] and ''[[The Last Legion]]'' (2007) with [[Aishwarya Rai]].

In 2008, he played the adult [[Blake Morrison]] reminiscing on his difficult relationship with his ailing father in the film adaptation of Morrison's memoir, ''[[And When Did You Last See Your Father?]]'' It received generally favorable reviews.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/when_did_you_last_see_your_father/|title=When Did You Last See Your Father?|date=6 June 2008|publisher=rottentomatoes.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/stuck|title=Stuck|website=Metacritic|access-date=17 April 2020|archive-date=20 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100720205338/http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/stuck|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Peter Bradshaw]] of ''[[The Guardian]]'' gave it four out of five stars.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2007/oct/05/drama.periodandhistorical|title=And When Did You Last See Your Father?|author=Peter Bradshaw|newspaper=The Guardian|date=5 October 2007}}</ref> [[Manohla Dargis]] in ''[[The New York Times]]'' said: "It's a pleasure to watch Mr. Firth–a supremely controlled actor who makes each developing fissure visible–show the adult Blake coming to terms with his contradictory feelings, letting the love and the hurt pour out of him."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/06/movies/06fath.html|title=As a Father Nears Death, a Son Grows No Closer|first=Manohla|last=Dargis|date=6 June 2008|work=The New York Times}}</ref> [[Philip French]] of ''[[The Observer]]'' wrote that Firth "[does] quiet agonising to perfection."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2007/oct/07/documentary.periodandhistorical|title=All about my father|author=Philip French|newspaper=The Guardian|date=7 October 2007}}</ref> However, Derek Elley of ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' called the film "an unashamed tearjerker that's all wrapping and no center."  While he conceded that it was "undeniably effective at a gut level despite its dramatic shortcomings", he added, "Things aren't helped any by Firth's dour perf, as his Blake comes across as a self-centered whiner, a latter-day Me Generation figure who's obsessed with finding problems when there really aren't any."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117934468.html?categoryid=31&cs=1&p=0|title=When Did You Last See Your Father?|author=Derek Elley|work=Variety}}</ref>

The film adaptation of ''[[Mamma Mia! (film)|Mamma Mia!]]'' (2008) was Firth's first foray into [[Musical film|musicals]]. He described the experience as "a bit nerve-wracking"<ref name="Metro, Sunday 6 Jul 2008">{{cite web|last=Ivan-Zadeh|first=Larushka|title=Mamma Mia! Firth is a super trooper|url=http://metro.co.uk/2008/07/06/mamma-mia-firth-is-a-super-trooper-249572/|work=Metro, Sunday 6 Jul 2008|publisher=Associated Newspapers Limited|access-date=30 January 2013|date=6 July 2008}}</ref> but believed he got off lightly by being tasked with one of the less demanding songs, ''[[Our Last Summer]]''.<ref name="HS-July 10, 2008">{{cite news|last=Sutherland|first=Claire|title=Colin Firth talks about the challenges of Mamma Mia!|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/colin-gets-on-song/story-e6frf7jo-1111116874068|access-date=30 January 2013|newspaper=Herald Sun|date=10 July 2008}}</ref> ''Mamma Mia'' became the highest grossing British-made film of all time,<ref name="Irvine-telegraph-30-10-2008">{{cite news|last=Irvine|first=Chris|title=Mamma Mia becomes highest grossing British film|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/3283481/Mamma-Mia-becomes-highest-grossing-British-film.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/3283481/Mamma-Mia-becomes-highest-grossing-British-film.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=30 January 2013|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=30 October 2008|quote=The film has made £66,995,224 in the UK, beating Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.}}{{cbignore}}</ref> taking in over $600 million worldwide.<ref name=MammamiaBO>{{cite web|title=Mamma Mia! gross|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=mammamia.htm|work=Box Office Mojo|publisher=IMDb.com, Inc.|access-date=30 January 2013}}</ref> Like ''Love Actually'', it polarised critics, with supporters such as ''Empire'' calling it "cute, clean, camp fun, full of sunshine, and toe tappers",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.rottentomatoes.com/m/mamma_mia/|title=Empire review|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100303025412/http://uk.rottentomatoes.com/m/mamma_mia/|archive-date=3 March 2010}}</ref> whereas Peter Bradshaw in ''[[The Guardian]]'' said the film gave him a "need to vomit".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2008/jul/10/film.reviews|title=Mamma Mia!|author=Peter Bradshaw|newspaper=The Guardian|date=10 July 2008}}</ref> Carrie Rickey in ''[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]'' described Firth's performance as "the embodiment of forced mirth."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/carrie_rickey/20080718__Mamma_Mia___here_we_go_again_-_this_time_on_screen.html|title='Mamma Mia,' here we go again – this time on screen|work=philly-archives|access-date=30 January 2013|archive-date=11 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101211142820/http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/carrie_rickey/20080718__Mamma_Mia___here_we_go_again_-_this_time_on_screen.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> That year, Firth also starred in ''[[Easy Virtue (2008 film)|Easy Virtue]]'', which screened at the Rome Film Festival to excellent reviews.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://easyvirtuereview.blogspot.com/|title=Easy Virtue brings British humour to Rome Film Festival|access-date=27 October 2008|agency=Reuters}}</ref> He starred in ''[[Genova (2008 film)|Genova]]'', which premiered at the [[2008 Toronto International Film Festival]].<ref>[http://entertainment.aol.ca/article/qa-colin-firth-talks-genova/339231/ Colin Firth, Genova Interview. AOL Entertainment Canada] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081024123526/http://entertainment.aol.ca/article/qa-colin-firth-talks-genova/339231/ |date=24 October 2008 }}</ref>
In 2009 he appeared in ''[[A Christmas Carol (2009 film)|A Christmas Carol]]'', an adaptation of [[Charles Dickens]]' novel, using the [[performance capture]] procedure, playing Scrooge's optimistic nephew Fred.<ref name="03 Nov 2009">{{cite news|title=Colin Firth's discomfort in skin-tight spandex for A Christmas Carol animated movie|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/film-news/6489121/Colin-Firths-discomfort-in-skin-tight-spandex-for-A-Christmas-Carol-animated-movie.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/film-news/6489121/Colin-Firths-discomfort-in-skin-tight-spandex-for-A-Christmas-Carol-animated-movie.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=30 January 2013|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=3 November 2009}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

===2009–2011: Critical success===
[[File:Colin Firth and Helena Bonham Carter filming (cropped).jpg|thumb|Firth with [[Helena Bonham Carter]] on the set of ''[[The King's Speech]]'' in 2009, his most critically acclaimed role to date]]

At the [[66th Venice International Film Festival]] in 2009, Firth received the [[Volpi Cup]] for Best Actor for his role in [[Tom Ford]]'s directorial debut ''[[A Single Man]],'' as a college professor grappling with solitude after the death of his longtime partner. His performance earned him career-best reviews and Academy Award, Golden Globe, Screen Actors' Guild, BAFTA, and BFCA nominations; he won the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in February 2010.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8526670.stm|title=Bafta wins for Carey Mulligan and Colin Firth |date=21 February 2010|work=BBC News|access-date=14 February 2011}}</ref>

Firth starred in the 2010 film ''[[The King's Speech]]'' as [[George VI|Prince Albert, Duke of York/King George VI]], detailing his efforts to overcome his speech impediment while becoming monarch of the United Kingdom at the end of 1936. At the [[Toronto International Film Festival]] (TIFF),<ref name=Evans2010>{{Citation | title = Tom Hooper, Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush at The King's Speech premiere at the 35th Toronto International Film Festival  | url = http://www.digitalhit.com/galleries/38/539/15  | year = 2010  | author = Evans, Ian  | publisher = DigitalHit.com  | access-date = 3 August 2011 }}</ref> the film received a standing ovation. The TIFF release of ''The King's Speech'' fell on Firth's 50th birthday and was called the "best 50th birthday gift". On 16 January 2011, he won a Golden Globe for his performance in ''The King's Speech'' in the category of [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama|Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama]]. The [[Screen Actors Guild]] recognised him with the award for Best Male Actor on 30 January 2011.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/film-news/8260914/Golden-Globes-2011-Colin-Firth-wins-Best-Actor-as-The-Social-Network-takes-four-awards.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/film-news/8260914/Golden-Globes-2011-Colin-Firth-wins-Best-Actor-as-The-Social-Network-takes-four-awards.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Golden Globes 2011: Colin Firth wins Best Actor as The Social Network takes four awards|date=17 January 2011|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=14 February 2011|location=London|first=Melissa|last=Whitworth}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
In February 2011, he won his second consecutive [[BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role|best actor award]] at the [[64th British Academy Film Awards|2011 BAFTA awards]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2011/feb/13/baftas-2011-the-kings-speech|title=Baftas 2011: The King's Speech sweeps the board|date=14 February 2011|work=The Guardian|access-date=14 February 2011|location=London|first=Mark|last=Brown}}</ref> and received an [[Academy Award for Best Actor]] in on 27 February 2011.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/oscars/8353278/Colin-Firth-takes-Oscars-crown-as-British-film-proves-mother-knows-best.html# |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110303131238/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/oscars/8353278/Colin-Firth-takes-Oscars-crown-as-British-film-proves-mother-knows-best.html |archive-date=2011-03-03 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Colin Firth takes Oscars crown as British film proves mother knows best|date=28 February 2011|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=28 February 2011|location=London|first=Anita|last=Singh}}</ref> The film grossed $414,211,549 worldwide.<ref name=kingsspeechboxoffice>{{cite web|title=The King's Speech box office statistics|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=kingsspeech.htm|work=Box Office Mojo|publisher=IMDb.com, Inc.|access-date=23 January 2013}}</ref>

Firth appeared as senior British secret agent [[Bill Haydon]] in the 2011 adaptation of the [[John le Carré]] novel ''[[Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (film)|Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy]]'', directed by [[Tomas Alfredson]] and co-starring [[Gary Oldman]], [[Benedict Cumberbatch]], [[Tom Hardy]], [[Mark Strong]] and [[John Hurt]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cinematical.com/2010/08/16/benedict-cumberbatch-joins-tinker-tailor-soldier-spy/ |title=Benedict Cumberbatch Joins 'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy' |date=16 August 2010 |access-date=4 September 2010}}</ref> It gathered mostly excellent reviews.<ref name=RTTTSS>{{cite web|title=Tinker Tailor Soldier, Spy 2011|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/tinker_tailor_soldier_spy/|work=Rotten Tomatoes|publisher=Flixster, Inc.|access-date=3 February 2013}}</ref> ''The Independent'' described Firth's performance as "suavely arrogant" and praised the film.<ref name=IndepTTSS>{{cite news|last=Romney|first=Johnathan|title=Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (15)|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/tinker-tailor-soldier-spy-15-2356404.html|access-date=3 February 2013|newspaper=The Independent|date=18 September 2011}}</ref> Deborah Young in ''The Hollywood Reporter'' thought Firth got "all the best dialogue", which he delivered "sardonically".<ref name="HRTTSS9 May 2011">{{cite news|last=Young|first=Deborah|title=Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy: Venice Film Review|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movie/tinker-tailor-soldier-spy/review/231215|access-date=3 February 2013|newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter|date=9 May 2011}}</ref> Leslie Felperin in ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' wrote that all the actors brought their "A game" and Firth was in "particularly [[choleric]], amusing form."<ref name=Felperinvariety09052011>{{cite news|last=Felperin|first=Leslie|title=Venice Film Festival Review Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy|url=https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117945968/?categoryid=31&cs=1|access-date=3 February 2013|newspaper=Variety|date=5 September 2011}}</ref>

===2012–present: Established actor===
[[File:Colin Firth 2011 (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|left|Firth receiving a star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]] in 2011]]

In May 2011, Firth began filming ''[[Gambit (2012 film)|Gambit]]''—a remake of [[Gambit (1966 film)|a 1960s crime caper]], in the part originally played by [[Michael Caine]]. It was released in the UK in November 2012 and was a financial and critical failure.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=intl&id=gambit.htm|title=Gambit (2013) – International Box Office|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=1 January 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/gambit_2012/|title=Gambit (2012)|website=Rotten Tomatoes|access-date=1 January 2013}}</ref> ''[[Empire (film magazine)|Empire]]''{{'s}} [[Kim Newman]] wrote, "Firth starts out homaging Caine with his [[Horn-rimmed glasses|horn-rimmed]] cool but soon defaults to his usual repressed British cold mode",<ref name=Empiregambit>{{cite magazine|last=Newman|first=Kim|title=Empire's Gambit Movie Review|magazine=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]|date=November 2012|url=https://www.empireonline.com/reviews/reviewcomplete.asp?FID=137247|access-date=3 February 2013}}</ref> whilst ''Time Out London'' called his a "likeable performance", although criticised the film overall.<ref name=Timeoutgambit>{{cite magazine|last=Johnston|first=Trevor|magazine=Time Out London|date=8 November 2012|title=Gambit (12A)|url=https://www.timeout.com/london/film/gambit-2012-1|access-date=3 February 2013}}</ref> Stephen Dalton in ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' said, "To his credit, Firth keeps his performance grounded in downbeat realism while all around are wildly mugging in desperate pursuit of thin, forced laughs.<ref name=HRGambit>{{cite magazine|last=Dalton|first=Stephen|title=The Bottom Line Starry art-heist remake is more clumsy sketch than Old Master|magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=11 July 2012|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/gambit-film-review-colin-firth-387610|access-date=3 February 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Gambit 2012|website=[[IMDb]]|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0404978/|access-date=31 October 2012}}</ref> In 2012, Firth co-founded Raindog Films with British music industry executive and entrepreneur [[Ged Doherty]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://nz.linkedin.com/in/geddoherty | title=Ged Doherty | publisher=LinkedIn | access-date=12 June 2016 }}{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Its first feature, ''[[Eye in the Sky (2015 film)|Eye in the Sky]]'', for which Firth was co-producer, was released in April 2016.<ref>{{cite news | author=Staff | url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/video/2015/dec/09/eye-in-the-sky-watch-the-uk-trailer-for-the-drone-warfare-drama-starring-helen-mirren-and-alan-rickman-video | title=Eye in the Sky: watch the UK trailer for the drone warfare drama starring Helen Mirren and Alan Rickman – video | work=[[The Guardian]] | date=9 December 2015 | access-date=17 June 2022 }}</ref>

In May 2013, it was announced that Firth had signed to co-star with [[Emma Stone]] in [[Woody Allen]]'s romantic comedy ''[[Magic in the Moonlight]]'', set in the 1920s and shot on the [[French Riviera]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/may/01/colin-firth-woody-allen-emma-stone|title=Colin Firth to star in Woody Allen's next film, alongside Emma Stone|author=Ben Child|newspaper=The Guardian|date=May 2013}}</ref> In 2014, he did his first turn as Harry Hart / Agent Galahad in the spy action film ''[[Kingsman: The Secret Service]]'', which grossed $414.4 million against an $81 million budget.<ref>"Kingsman: The Secret Service (2015)". Box Office Mojo. 1 March 2015. Retrieved 23 June 2015.</ref> Firth had been announced to voice [[Paddington Bear]] for the film ''[[Paddington (film)|Paddington]]''; however, he announced his withdrawal on 17 June 2014, saying: "It's been bittersweet to see this delightful creature take shape and come to the sad realization that he simply doesn't have my voice".<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://insidemovies.ew.com/2014/06/17/colin-firth-leaving-as-voice-of-paddington-movie-exclusive/|title=Colin Firth leaving as voice of 'Paddington' movie – EXCLUSIVE|first=Anthony|last=Breznican|date=17 June 2014|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=19 November 2014}}</ref>

In June 2015, he began filming the story of amateur yachtsman [[Donald Crowhurst]] in ''[[The Mercy]]'', alongside [[Rachel Weisz]], [[David Thewlis]] and [[Jonathan Bailey]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/pictures/PICTURES-Filming-new-Donald-Crowhurst-film/pictures-26619491-detail/pictures.html|title=PICTURES: Colin Firth and Rachel Weisz on a Teignmouth film set|work=Western Morning News|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630182948/http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/pictures/PICTURES-Filming-new-Donald-Crowhurst-film/pictures-26619491-detail/pictures.html|archive-date=30 June 2015}}</ref> In 2016, Firth reprised his popular role as Mark Darcy in ''[[Bridget Jones's Baby]]'', which fared much better with audiences and critics than the second in the series (''Bridget Jones: Edge of Reason''). He portrayed American book editor [[Max Perkins]] in ''[[Genius (2016 film)|Genius]]'', co-starring [[Jude Law]] as author [[Thomas Wolfe]] and based on [[A. Scott Berg]]'s biography ''Max Perkins: Editor of Genius''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Khomami|first=Nadia|title=Colin Firth and Jude Law to star in upcoming literary drama Genius|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=6 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=McClintock|first=Pamela|title=Berlin 2013: Colin Firth, Jude Law's 'Genius' Sells Around the World (Exclusive)|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/berlin-2013-colin-firth-michael-419160|access-date=11 February 2013|newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter|date=2 July 2013}}</ref> In 2016 he began filming for [[Rupert Everett]]'s directorial debut ''[[The Happy Prince (2018 film)|The Happy Prince]]'', a biopic of [[Oscar Wilde]], playing Wilde's friend [[Reginald Turner|Reginald "Reggie" Turner]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Grater|first1=Tom|title=Rupert Everett, Colin Firth begin filming Oscar Wilde biopic|url=http://www.screendaily.com/news/rupert-everett-colin-firth-begin-filming-oscar-wilde-biopic/5109716.article?blocktitle=Most-popular&contentID=-1|access-date=4 October 2016|work=Screen Daily|publisher=[[Screen International]]|date=22 September 2016}}</ref>

In 2017, he reprised his role as Jamie from 2003's ''[[Love Actually]]'' in the television short film ''[[Red Nose Day Actually]]'', by original writer and director [[Richard Curtis]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/stayingin/tvfilm/red-nose-day-love-actually-sequel-what-happened-to-every-character-in-the-comic-relief-special-a3499016.html|title=Red Nose Day Love Actually sequel: what happened to every character in the Comic Relief special|date=24 March 2017}}</ref> Also that year, Firth returned as [[Agent Galahad|Harry Hart / Agent Galahad]] in the sequel ''[[Kingsman: The Golden Circle]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/jul/11/colin-firth-back-from-the-dead-for-kingsman-2|title=Colin Firth back from the dead for Kingsman 2|work=[[The Guardian]]|last=Shoard|first=Catherine|date=11 July 2016|access-date=1 September 2017}}</ref> In 2018, Firth reprised his role of Harry Bright in the sequel to ''[[Mamma Mia! (film)|Mamma Mia!]]'', ''[[Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.etonline.com/movies/220110_dominic_cooper_dishes_on_returning_for_mamma_mia_2_it_a_phone_call_i_ve_been_waiting_for/|title=EXCLUSIVE: Dominic Cooper Dishes on Returning for 'Mamma Mia 2': It's 'a Phone Call I've Been Waiting For'|quote=The actor will be joining a slew of big-name stars who are returning to the fun franchise, including Meryl Streep, Colin Firth, Amanda Seyfried and Pierce Brosnan.|author=Zach Seemayer|publisher=[[Entertainment Tonight]]|date=22 June 2017|access-date=12 August 2017}}</ref> That year, he also appeared as William Weatherall Wilkins in the musical fantasy film ''[[Mary Poppins Returns]]'', starring [[Emily Blunt]] in the title role. He also played British naval commander [[David Russell (Royal Navy officer)|David Russell]] in [[Thomas Vinterberg]]'s ''[[Kursk (film)|Kursk]]'', a film about the true story of the [[Kursk submarine disaster|2000 Kursk submarine disaster]], in which he starred alongside [[Matthias Schoenaerts]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Kroll|first1=Justin|title=Colin Firth Joins Emily Blunt in 'Mary Poppins' Sequel (EXCLUSIVE)|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/colin-firth-mary-poppins-sequel-1201894326/|access-date=24 October 2016|work=Variety|date=10 February 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/colin-firth-star-submarine-disaster-895855|title=Colin Firth to Star in Submarine Disaster Movie 'Kursk'|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=25 May 2016|access-date=5 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/02/lea-seydoux-kursk-submarine-europacorp-colin-firth-1201906726/|title=Lea Seydoux Boards EuropaCorp Submarine Drama 'Kursk' – Berlin|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=9 February 2017|access-date=5 May 2017}}</ref> In 2019, he had a cameo as British General Erinmore in [[Sam Mendes]]' World War I film ''[[1917 (2019 film)|1917]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/colin-firth-benedict-cumberbatch-join-sam-mendes-wwi-movie-1917-1197679|title=Colin Firth, Benedict Cumberbatch Join Sam Mendes' WWI Movie '1917'|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|first=Mia|last=Galuppo|date=28 March 2019|access-date=7 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328130756/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/colin-firth-benedict-cumberbatch-join-sam-mendes-wwi-movie-1917-1197679|archive-date=28 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Set in 1947 England, Firth starred with [[Julie Walters]] in ''[[The Secret Garden (2020 film)|The Secret Garden]]'' and later in 2020 with [[Stanley Tucci]] in ''[[Supernova (2020 film)|Supernova]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/news/film/2018-04-27/colin-firth-and-julie-walters-to-star-in-classic-childrens-adaptation-the-secret-garden/ |title=Colin Firth and Julie Walters to star in classic children's adaptation The Secret Garden |last=Allen |first=Ben |date=17 April 2018 |website=[[Radio Times]] |access-date=30 October 2020}}</ref> In 2021, he starred in romantic drama film ''[[Mothering Sunday (film)|Mothering Sunday]]'' directed by Eva Husson.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2021/07/mothering-sunday-cannes-review-josh-oconnor-odessa-young-naked-1234789626/|title='Mothering Sunday' Cannes Review: Josh O'Connor And Odessa Young Give Their All In Raw, Naked, And Intense British Romantic Drama|first=Pete|last=Hammond|date=9 July 2021|website=Deadline Hollywood}}</ref> In December 2021, he was cast in Sam Mendes' drama film ''[[Empire of Light]]'', starring [[Olivia Colman]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Grobar |first=Matt|title='Empire Of Light': Colin Firth, Toby Jones, Crystal Clarke & Tanya Moodie Join Sam Mendes' Searchlight Pictures Drama|url=https://deadline.com/2021/12/empire-of-light-adds-colin-firth-toby-jones-crystal-clarke-tanya-moodie-sam-mendes-searchlight-pictures-1234900001/|date=21 December 2021|access-date=25 December 2021|website=Deadline Hollywood}}</ref> He was seen as Ewen Montagu in ''[[Operation Mincemeat (film)|Operation Mincemeat]]'', in April 2022.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/warner-bros-postpones-colin-firth-operation-mincemeat-britain-omicron-1235062171/|title=Warner Bros. Postpones U.K. Release of Colin Firth WWII Drama 'Operation Mincemeat' as Omicron Soars (Exclusive)|date=14 December 2021|first=Alex|last=Ritman|work=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref> Firth returned to television in May 2022 starring as Michael Peterson in the HBO production ''[[The Staircase (American miniseries)|The Staircase]]''.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/the-staircase-colin-firth-toni-collette-kathleen-peterson-1235140450/ | title=How 'The Staircase' Brings Kathleen Peterson's Story to Life | magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] | date=4 May 2022 }}</ref> In 2025, Firth starred in the drama series ''[[Lockerbie: A Search for Truth]]'', portraying [[Jim Swire]] whose daughter died on [[Pan Am Flight 103]] while in flight over the Scottish town of [[Lockerbie]] in December 1988.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shafer |first=Ellise |date=23 January 2024 |title=Colin Firth to Star in 'Lockerbie' Series About 1988 Flight Disaster From Sky and Peacock |url=https://variety.com/2024/tv/global/colin-firth-lockerbie-series-1988-flight-disaster-sky-peacock-1235883154/ |access-date=11 January 2025 |website=Variety}}</ref>