BY ACTOR: F

An actor with an intense screen presence, Michael Fassbender’s career is dominated by his collaboration with artist-turned-filmmaker Steve McQueen. Playing Bobby Sands in 'Hunger' (2008), Brandon in 'Shame' (2011) and Edwin Epps in '12 Years a Slave' (2013), the actor has shown an extraordinary ability to lose himself within a character, both emotionally and – most notably in the director and star’s first collaboration – physically. As comfortable in a blockbuster franchise as he is low-key indie dramas, Fassbender is one of the most popular and admired stars to emerge over the last decade. Highlights amongst his many roles include taking over Ian McKellen’s mantle as Erik/Magneto in the X-Men franchise (three films to date). He impressed at the genius behind Apple in 'Steve Jobs' (2015), bristled with the right modicum of moodiness as Rochester in 'Jane Eyre' (2011), made his character in 'Fish Tank' (2009) both sexy and ultimately repellent, and was the reason for seeing 'Prometheus' (2012). He returns to the role of David in Ridley Scott’s 2017 sequel 'Alien: Covenant'. In Justin Kurzel’s visually dazzling 2015 Shakespeare adaptation, he made his Macbeth more grief-stricken than power hungry. But it’s when he is playing quieter characters that his talent really shines. In both 'Slow West' and the wonderful 'Frank' – a rare comic outing whose final, moving scenes profit from understatement – he is the soul of each film.

James Franco was born in California in 1978. He studied English at UCLA, where he first started acting to overcome his shyness. His breakthrough came with the cult teenage series 'Freaks and Geeks' (1999). He is best known for roles in Sam Raimi's 'Spiderman' trilogy and Danny Boyle's '127 Hours' (2010), for which he received an Oscar nomination for Best Actor.

Rupert Friend was born in 1981 in Oxfordshire. Friend made his acting debut in 'The Libertine' (2004) opposite Johnny Deep, for which he was named Outstanding New Talent at the 2005 Satellite Awards. He is also known for his role as Prince Albert in 'The Young Victoria' (2009), as Mr Wickham in 'Pride & Prejudice' (2005) and as CIA agent Peter Quinn in the award winning television drama 'Homeland'.