Joseph Fiennes

Joseph Alberic Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes also known as Joseph Fiennes is an iconic English actor spanning his influence over film, stage, and television. Fiennes holds a reputation for his exceptional versatility and for his performances in period pieces. Renowned for acting in notable cultural pieces in English history, his hit roles include portraying William Shakespeare in Shakespeare in Love (1998), Sir Robert Dudley in Elizabeth (1998), Commissar Danilov in Enemy at the Gates (2001) and Martin Luther in Luther (2003). He also featured as Monsignor Timothy Howard in the TV series American Horror Story (2012–2013), and as Commander Fred Waterford in the TV series The Handmaid's Tale (2017–2021). Fiennes began his career in 1993 with his first major exposure to the professional world of acting in West End in The Woman in Black, followed by A Month in the Country. Fiennes is also a member of the prestigious Royal Shakespeare Company. He further appeared in numerous television series, such as the ABC science fiction series FlashForward, Starz's series, Camelot, and The Handmaid's Tale on Hulu.

Born in Salisbury, Wiltshire, England in 1970, Fiennes comes from an illustrious family. His parents are Mark Fiennes a farmer and photographer, and Jennifer Lash a writer. He was educated at the Swan School For Boys and Bishop Wordsworth's School in Salisbury, and later graduated from London's Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 1993. He has a twin brother, Jacob Fiennes and other note-worthy siblings and relatives including actor Ralph Fiennes, directors Martha and Sophie Fiennes. Fiennes married María Dolores Diéguez, a Swiss model of Spanish origin, in 2009 and they have two daughters.