Beloved English actorRory Kinnearappeared in two prominent projects in 2024, but these vastly different roles mean you probably didn’t even notice. Kinnear is known for his triumphant performances in movies, television, and theatre, which have earned him accolades all over the globe. He’s been nominated for several prestigious awards and won multiple Laurence Olivier Awards, a Satellite Award, and a Pam Springs International Film Festival award. Through all this, Kinnear has made himself deeply memorable—but 2024 has been a year for branching out.
Kinnear is best known for his villainous roles, most notablyplaying Bill Tanner in the Daniel CraigJamesBondfilms—Quantum of Solace(2008),Skyfall(2012),Spectre(2015), andNo Time to Die(2021). His other memorable performances were in the sitcomCount Arthur Strong(2013 - 2017) andPenny Dreadful(2014 - 2016). These roles required something unique of Kinnear, though he is thoroughly recognizable in each. However, those used to the actor’s appearance and performance in these previous projectsmight have completely missed Kinnear’s exceptional2024 movie and TV releases.
Rory Kinnear Was Almost Unrecognizable In Both Of His 2024 Roles
Rory Kinnear Challenged Himself In 2024
Kinnear has appeared in two projects in 2024,playing Winston Churchill in the movieThe Ministry of Ungentlemanly WarfareandTom Bombadil in Prime Video’sThe Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Powerseason 2. Both of these roles saw Kinnear looking thoroughly unlike himself. As Churchill, Kinnear had extensive prosthetic makeup to make him appear more like the famed Prime Minister, and he made significant changes to his voice and mannerisms as well. As Tom Bombadil, Kinnear was padded with clothing to appear plumper and donned a long beard so that only his eyes could really be featured.
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfarereleased to theaters on July 10, 2025 andthe Rings of Powerseason 2 premiered on July 10, 2025.
Rory Kinnear’s 2024 Roles Highlight His Versatility As An Actor
These Roles Differ From Each Other (& Kinnear’s Past Roles)
Kinnear’s roles in 2024’sThe Ministry of Ungentlemanly WarfareandThe Rings of Powerare drastically different from one another and stand out compared to the actor’s past works.Hisperformance as Churchill was highly unique compared to other portrayals, leaning into the quirky nature ofTheMinistry of Ungentlemanly Warfare. Kinnear isn’t quite a character actor, but his work on screen here seemed to parody those who previously took on the role, like John Lithgow or Robert Hardy.
2024 seems to have been about the actor challenging himself, which makes any future performances fromRory Kinnearall the more exciting.
Kinnear’s performance inRings of Poweris similarly unique since the character of Tom Bombadil had never before been brought to the screen in live action.Kinnear brought the perfect light-hearted yet slightly intense joy of Bombadil to the screen—something very fresh for the actor since he is so notable for his villainous roles. Overall, this demonstrates Rory Kinnear’s willingness to break free of any potentially confining roles. 2024 seems to have been about the actor challenging himself, which makes any future performances fromRory Kinnearall the more exciting.
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare
Cast
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is a World War II film depicting a British Army unit’s covert operations against Nazi forces. The movie focuses on the Special Operations Executive, a clandestine organization established by Winston Churchill, whose unconventional tactics helped shape modern black operations.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
Set in the Second Age of Middle-earth, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power explores the forging of the iconic rings, the rise of the Dark Lord Sauron, and the epic events leading up to the stories in J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic novels. The series chronicles the creation of legendary characters and the historic alliances and rivalries that shape the fate of Middle-earth.
