2004: 'Layer Cake'

In 2004, Hardy appeared in the thriller 'Layer Cake' (pictured) as Clarkie alongside actor Daniel Craig. In 2006, Hardy proved he was more than an actor by creating Shotgun, an underground theatre company and directed a play called 'Blue on Blue', written by his father. Continuing his work in film, television and theatre in the following five years, Hardy accepted a variety of different roles including Bill Sikes in the remake of 'Oliver Twist'.

Hardy starred in numerous TV movies before his performance in a BBC adaptation of Alexander Master's biography 'Stuart: A Life Backwards' won him a Best Actor BAFTA nomination in 2007.