Fiona Shaw Starred in: The Avengers, Super Mario Brothers, Three Men and a Little Lady. Stage doyenne with a mouth like a shaving cut - handy if Glenn Close is unavailable.
Emma Thompson Starred in: Primary Colors, Sense and Sensibility, Junior. From Branagh's bluestocking bride to Arnie Schwarzenegger's sidekick ... ooops.
Miriam Margolyes Stars in: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Magnolia, End of Days. Ample Jewish momma who plays ... ample Jewish mommas (although she was the voice of the sexy Cadbury's Caramel bunny).
Maggie Smith Starred in: Harry Potter, Gosford Park, Sister Act (I, II and III). Great Dame now stuck in dryoldstick roles. You could call her wrinkles laughter lines, but nothing is that funny.
Pete Postlethwaite Starred in: The Shipping News, The Usual Suspects, Amistad. Plasticine-nosed northerner handy for parts requiring gritty moral rectitude.
Tom Wilkinson Starred in: In the Bedroom, The Patriot, Rush Hour. Puddingy actor's actor: can do grieving American dad, portly colonialist, or cartoonish villain (if Joss Ackland/Brian Cox unavailable).
