The 'Red 2' star received the Best Actress prize for her role of Queen Elizabeth II in Peter Morgan's play 'The Audience'.
- Apr 29, 2013
AceShowbiz - Award-winning actress Helen Mirren added another best actress trophy to her shelf as she accepted her award from Daniel Radcliffe at the Olivier Awards in London on Sunday, April 28. Mirren was honored for her portrayal of regal yet vulnerable Queen Elizabeth II in Peter Morgan's play "The Audience".
In her acceptance speech, Mirren jokingly said that the monarch actually deserved the award "for the most consistent and committed performance of the 20th century and probably the 21st century." Later at the backstage, she explained, "I was making a joke about the queen winning, but I think actually it is a reflection of the kind of respect the queen is held in."
Being Olivier Award nominee three times before, Mirren responded to this victory with a humble appreciation. "[Finally winning] doesn't mean that I was the best actor. There were so many incredible performances out there," the Sophia Tolstaya depicter in "The Last Station" said.
Before "The Audience", Mirren portrayed the same role in 2006's film "The Queen", which was also penned by Morgan. She took home an Academy award, a Golden Globe and UK's most prestigious BAFTA.
"Each time I [play her] I feel people are really responding to the queen," she told reporters at the reception, which took place at London's Royal Opera house. "I feel I am rather coasting along on that love and respect."
Hosted by "Downton Abbey" actor Hugh Bonneville and "Hysteria" actress Sheridan Smith, the ceremony saw the performances by Matthew Morrison, Idina Menzel and Petula Clark.
