BY ACTOR: C

The shooting of Terrence Malick’s 'The Tree of Life' may have been completed years before, but the filmmaker’s measured approach to editing resulted in the film’s release being delayed until 2011. It was a perfect storm for Jessica Chastain, who saw another four features starring her released in the same year, bringing deserved focus on a gifted actor whose star ascended overnight. (In truth, she had been on TV and in films since 2004.) Alongside her subtle performance in Malick’s metaphysical opus, Chastain excelled in Jeff Nichol’s apocalyptic 'Take Shelter', opposite an equally intense Michael Shannon. She was no less impressive in Ralph Fiennes muscular adaptation of Shakespeare’s 'Coriolanus' and displayed her versatility in 'The Help'. 'Zero Dark Thirty' (2012) cemented her star status and 'Miss Julie' (2014) saw her more than able to take on Strindberg’s complex heroine. Strong support roles in 'Interstellar' (2014) and 'The Martian' (2015) increased her profile, but she was at her best in J.C. Chandor’s 'A Most Violent Year' (2014). She is better than 'The Huntsman: Winter’s War' (2016) and proves she could easily carry a film playing the eponymous Washington lobbyist in John Madden’s tense 'Miss Sloane' (2016).

Born in Manchester in 1965, Coogan is one of the most popular and versatile comic actors working in Britain today. He is best known for his awkward and politically incorrect Norfolk media personality character Alan Partridge. Coogan has also delved into more dramatic roles in 2013 with 'What Maisie Knew', and 'Philomena', which he co-wrote and produced, earning him several Oscar and BAFTA nominations.