Thankfully, Colin Firth is back on screens. As the lead actor in HBO’s The Staircase, Firth will be in the spotlight of the television season for his role as Michael Peterson, a man accused of killing his wife. The new HBO miniseries promises to be a hit, renewing the desire of viewers to discover more or revisit the actor’s filmography.
Given Firth’s illustrious career, fans of the show who want to see the British actor in other roles have many suitable options. According to both Letterboxd’s popularity and ratings, some of Firth’s older projects are fitting for fans after drama, mystery, and some romance, as long as Colin Firth is on the screen, of course.
Dorian Gray (2009) – 2.6/5
Stream On Amazon Prime Video.
Dorian Gray has the unique aspects that made Oscar Wilde’s magnum opus a classic, but its themes share a few similarities with the story told in the HBO miniseries. In this adaptation of Wilde’s novel, Firth plays Lord Henry Wotton, the responsible for influencing the naive Gray to follow a treacherous path.
Because of the complex and mysterious nature of the character, fans of The Staircase will likely enjoy seeing Firth as Lord Henry. Since this story also plays with fantasy, this option is optimal for those searching for less true crime, and more mystery inspired by classic literature.
Before I Go To Sleep (2014) – 2.92/5
Stream On Amazon Prime Video.
Before I Go to Sleep shares many similarities with The Staircase due to the type of character Firth plays in both projects. Working alongside Nicole Kidman and Mark Strong, Firth plays Kidman’s husband in this suspenseful drama.
Given that the story is told from her perspective, the viewer is led to believe his character naturally, but not everything is what it seems. For fans of The Staircase, this film is a must-watch, with the stellar cast sharing thrilling chemistry.
Easy Virtue (2008) – 3.0/5
Stream On Starz.
Before Firth starred in one of the best period dramas of the 2010s, The King’s Speech, he was part of Easy Virtue. This film belongs in the deep-dive category of the actor’s filmography, making it a suitable option for fans of the HBO miniseries.
Although the film’s tone is lighter than in The Staircase, Firth plays a complex character that finds himself in difficult romantic circumstances. As the wild-card of this list, this one is fitting for fans looking for less famous projects of the lead actor.
Operation Mincemeat (2022) – 3.3/5
Stream On Netflix.
Besides The Staircase, Firth is also the star of another new project, Netflix’s Operation Mincemeat. In the film, the actor will play a British intelligence officer who plans to deceive Hitler using a corpse. Given the stellar cast and extraordinary real story, Operation Mincemeat will likely be among the best World War II movies from this decade.
Although the theme of this one is quite different from the true-crime miniseries, fans of the show can still enjoy this project for its dramatic aspect and for being the actor’s newest appearance on the big screen. It can also be entertaining to pay attention to the actor’s range, going from a regular American man to a 1940s intelligence officer like one changes from one streaming service to another.
The English Patient (1996) – 3.5/5
Stream On Max Go.
If fans are looking for the same amount of drama as the show but without the true-crime aspect, The English Patient is a suitable option. In the movie, also starring Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche, Firth plays a side character alongside Kristin Scott Thomas.
Despite that, fans of the show will likely enjoy seeing a young Colin Firth in a less-complex role in this Oscar-winning picture. This movie offers romance and drama through an emotional narrative.
Supernova (2020) – 3.5/5
Stream On Hulu.
For fans of the chemistry between Firth and Toni Collette but who are looking for a romantic project without murder in the equation, the delicate Supernova is the right choice. After sitting across from Stanley Tucci at the same table in Conspiracy, Firth shares the screen with him again in this film.
As Tucci’s character struggles with a disease, the couple navigates through pain and their love for each other in gorgeous British scenery. Firth’s character is nothing but a supportive, loving husband, making the watching experience more entertaining after seeing him in The Staircase.
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011) – 3.6/5
Stream On Showtime.
Firth’s role in The Staircase is all about ambiguity (or going against it), but this isn’t the first time the actor has played a complex character. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy presents Firth in a terrific role as the posh spy Bill Haydon. In the story, Haydon is one of the suspects in an elaborated Soviet plot amidst the Cold War.
In this masterful adaptation of John Le Carré’s best novel, Firth shines as he does in the HBO series, caught in a thread of suspicion, lies, and high stakes. Fans who enjoy the show due to Firth’s excellence in telling a story through a look or a delivery will likely enjoy this film. After all, entertainment is a definite constant with Colin Firth on the screen.
Conspiracy (2001) – 3.7/5
Stream On HBO Max.
Like The Staircase, Conspiracy is based on an atrocious event and follows a crucial Nazi meeting responsible for establishing the structure of the wicked Holocaust. The movie is compelling for depicting the event that took place right before World War II, but also Firth’s performance as Wilhelm Stuckart is a highlight in itself.
Though not one of the best war movies ever made, for fans of the HBO miniseries, this is a relevant option to see more based-on-true-events dramas and witness the British actor’s talent.
A Single Man (2009) – 3.8/5
Stream On Tubi TV.
For fans who enjoy that the show tackles serious issues, A Single Man is a fitting following up due to its approach to grieving the loss of a partner and dealing with death. In this film written by Tom Ford, Firth plays George, a man who lost his boyfriend, played by Matthew Goode. Interestingly years later, both actors would be part of the Kingsman franchise.
Like in The Staircase, Firth’s character goes through a traumatic event, but, in this case, there’s no possibility of murder involved. The movie focuses on the intricacies of grief through George’s experience, and Firth delivers a touching performance.
Pride & Prejudice (1995) – 4.2/5
Stream On HBO Max.
While The Staircase and Pride & Prejudice are wildly different pieces of media, fans of the HBO show who are enjoying seeing Firth on their screens will benefit from this option.
One of the best BBC period dramas of all time, this version of the iconic Jane Austen novel is a classic, with Firth being right at the center of the story as the somber Mr. Darcy. If fans of the British actor’s latest portrayal are looking for his other projects, this must-watch period drama could not be left out of the list, as its Letterboxd rating confirms.
