Mirren began her acting career in the 1960s with the National Youth Theatre and later joined the Royal Shakespeare Company. She made her film debut in 1967's "Herostratus" and gained attention for her roles in "O Lucky Man!" (1973) and "The Long Good Friday" (1980).
She achieved international fame for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in "The Queen" (2006), for which she received an Academy Award for Best Actress. Mirren's other notable film roles include "Caligula" (1979), "The Prince of Egypt" (1998), "Gosford Park" (2001), "Calendar Girls" (2003), "The Last Station" (2009), "Red" (2010), "Woman in Gold" (2015), and "The Leisure Seeker" (2017).
Mirren's television work also garnered acclaim. She starred in the British miniseries "Prime Suspect" (1991-2006), where she played Detective Chief Inspector Jane Tennison. For her performance in the series, she received multiple Emmy Awards and BAFTA Awards. She also appeared in "Losing Chase" (1997), "Elizabeth I" (2005), and "The Passion of Ayn Rand" (1999), among others.
Throughout her career, Mirren has received numerous awards and recognitions. She was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2003 and was elevated to Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 2007 for her contributions to drama. Mirren has also received the BAFTA Fellowship (2021) and the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award (2021).
As a versatile and accomplished character actress, Helen Mirren continues to showcase her talent and skill in a wide range of roles, making her one of the most renowned actresses of her generation.