BY ACTOR: F

Four years younger than her equally gifted sibling Dakota, Elle Fanning has appeared on the screen since the age of two. Roles in a number of TV shows and films led to an outstanding performance as a depressed film star’s daughter in Sofia Coppola’s 'Somewhere' (2010). She brought levity and warmth to the film, balancing out the film’s portrayal of a venal Hollywood. It’s exactly that quality that made her so compelling as the lead in Nicolas Winding Refn’s 'The Neon Demon' (2016). She exuded the perfect amount of sweet naivety in 'Super 8' and 'We Bought a Zoo' (both 2011) and was captivating opposite Alice Englert in Sally Potter’s 'Ginger & Rosa' (2012). A starring role in 'Maleficent' (2014) and one of the impressive ensemble of '20th Century Women' (both 2016) further highlights Fanning’s considerable range.

Noted wit, raconteur, actor, writer and comedian, Stephen Fry made his name in the Cambridge footlights before teaming up with Hugh Laurie to headline their own successful TV series. He has directed one feature to date, 'Bright Young Things' (2003), a faithful adaptation of Evelyn Waugh's 'Vile Bodies'. His acting career is long and varied. He debuted in 'Chariots of Fire' (1981) and excelled as two versions of the odious cad Melchett in the second and fourth series of 'Black Adder'. He played the eponymous host in 'Peter's Friends' (1992) which also starred Laurie. The two then embarked on a successful adaptation of P.G. Wodehouse's Jeeves and Wooster stories. He was excellent as Oscar Wilde in 'Wilde' (1997) but his role in 'Gosford Park' (2001) felt out of place. More recently, he played Mycroft Holmes in Guy Ritchie's 'Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows' (2011) and is splendidly grotesque as the Master of Laketown in the second and third Hobbit instalments (2013/14). He also played the ungainly husband of Chloë Sevigny's character in Whit Stillman's delightful 'Love & Friendship'.