Gary Oldman's 5 Greatest Roles – According to the British Government

Contents:
Gary Oldman is officially a sir. At the end of September 2025, Prince William knighted the 67-year-old actor at Windsor Castle for his services to drama and film.

The decision was made to mark King Charles III's birthday, Daily Mail reports.

The UK government's statement emphasizes: "His contribution to attracting international audiences to British filmmaking and the British brand is immensely significant."

And it's true — over 45 years, Oldman has become one of global cinema's biggest icons. The British government highlighted the actor's best roles:

Dracula (Bram Stoker's Dracula, 1992)

In Francis Ford Coppola's cult classic, Oldman played Count Dracula — a portrayal still considered one of the best in vampire cinema history.
Actor Gary Oldman in a gray suit and hat, on the right in a red robe with white hair
Scenes from Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992)
Source:
His Dracula was both tragic and terrifying, elegant and brutal. breathed life into a character who'd been adapted dozens of times and made him absolutely unique.

Jim Gordon (The Dark Knight Trilogy, 2005–2012)

In Christopher Nolan's films, Oldman played Gotham's police commissioner — Batman's ally and the embodiment of human integrity in a world ruled by chaos and corruption.
The Dark Knight Rises trailer
His Gordon became a fan favorite and helped The Dark Knight set the standard for superhero cinema.

Sirius Black (Harry Potter, 2004–2011)

In the magical saga about Harry Potter, Oldman brought the main character's godfather to life. Sirius is a tragic and incredibly charismatic figure — someone who survived Azkaban prison but kept his humanity intact.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban trailer
His role in the third installment of the franchise solidified Oldman's status as an actor who can convincingly play both villains and heroes.

Winston Churchill (Darkest Hour, 2017)

For his portrayal of Britain's World War II prime minister, Oldman won an Oscar and a Golden Globe. His transformation was so convincing that many viewers didn't immediately recognize the actor under layers of makeup.
Darkest Hour trailer
This performance became the pinnacle of his career and a symbol of respect for British history.

Herman Mankiewicz (Mank, 2020)

In David Fincher's film, Oldman played the screenwriter behind Orson Welles's iconic Citizen Kane.
Mank trailer
The role earned him another Oscar nomination and showed that even after decades in the profession, he's not slowing down — he's still completely dedicated to his craft.

Beyond these roles, the government specifically mentioned his work in Air Force One and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, as well as the series Slow Horses, for which he received a Golden Globe nomination. And earlier at zoomboola.com, we told you about three forgotten Tom Felton roles you probably didn't even know about.