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.