Knighthood for RADA alumnus Mark Rylance

We were delighted to hear that RADA alumnus Mark Rylance has been awarded a knighthood in the Queen's New Year's Honours List, published last week.

Rylance receives his knighthood for services to theatre, alongside other leading names in sport, the arts, scientific research, politics and business.

The honour comes at the end of an award-winning year for Rylance, who received the Oscar and BAFTA for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Steven Spielberg's Bridge of Spies, as well as the BAFTA TV Award for Leading Actor for his performance as Thomas Cromwell in Wolf Hall. He was also nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Actor for his role as King Phillippe V in Farinelli and the King.

Rylance graduated from RADA in 1980. His stage and screen career includes two Olivier Awards, three Tony Awards, one Critics' Circle Theatre Award, one Oscar, one BAFTA and two TV BAFTAs. From 1995-2005 he was the first Artistic Director of Shakespeare's Globe, where he also performed many roles; he is currently playing the lead in Nice Fish, which he co-wrote, in the West End's Harold Pinter Theatre.

Congratulations to Mark Rylance on receiving this honour. Click here for more information on the New Year's Honours.