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Ciaran: from Caesar to Herod

By Claire Regan
Wednesday, 6 December 2006

He has already played Julius Caesar on television this year, but Belfast actor Ciaran Hinds is now about to hit the big screen in the role of another famous Roman.

Hinds (53) stars as King Herod in 'The Nativity Story,' a newly released retelling the story of the birth of Christ.

With Keisha Castle-Hughes in the role of Mary and Oscar Isaac as Joseph, the Catherine Hardwicke-directed movie is set to be a big hit this Christmas season.

And it will further enhance Hinds' growing reputation as a leading actor.

Although the former Queen's University student has appeared in big-budget movies such as Phantom of the Opera, Lara Croft Tomb Raider, The Sum of All Fears and Munich, it was his role as Caesar in the epic BBC/HBO television series which brought him to worldwide attention.

The lavish 12-part saga, which was screened on BBC2, focused on the last few years of Caesar's reign and was nominated for two Golden Globe awards.

RADA-trained Hinds looks set to be just as busy in 2007 - he's lined up to appear in four upcoming movies, including The Tale of Despereaux, There Will Be Blood and Hallam Foe.