The Unstoppable Dame: Helen Mirren’s 7 Must-Watch New And Upcoming Movies & TV Shows (2024–2025)

Dame Helen Mirren continues to prove she is one of the most versatile and enduring actors of her generation, with a slate of new projects that span everything from cozy Netflix mysteries to historical dramas. As of December 2025, her career shows no sign of slowing down, with major roles in both film and television securing her legacy while pushing her into fresh, exciting territory. This deep dive explores her complete profile and highlights the essential titles you need to know, focusing on her most recent and highly anticipated work.

Her ability to transition seamlessly between a revered monarch and a kick-ass action star is unparalleled, a testament to her six-decade-long career. From her groundbreaking work as Detective Chief Inspector Jane Tennison in the television series Prime Suspect to her Oscar-winning portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II, Mirren’s filmography is a masterclass in acting. Get ready to update your watchlist with the latest and greatest from this cinematic icon.

Dame Helen Mirren: Complete Biography and Profile

Born Helen Lydia Mironoff, Dame Helen Mirren is an English actor renowned for her prolific career across film, television, and stage. Her commanding presence and dramatic range have earned her the rare distinction of achieving the "Triple Crown of Acting" in both the US and the UK, a testament to her global impact.

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• Full Name: Helen Lydia Mirren (née Mironoff)
• Born: July 26, 1945
• Birthplace: Chiswick, London, England
• Spouse: Taylor Hackford (Film Director, married 1997–present)
• Key Accolades: Academy Award (Best Actress for The Queen), four BAFTA Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, five Primetime Emmy Awards.
• Honors: Appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 2003 for services to the performing arts.
• Breakthrough Role: Detective Chief Inspector Jane Tennison in the TV series Prime Suspect (1991–2006).

The New Era: Helen Mirren’s Upcoming Movies and Latest Roles (2023–2025)

The latter half of the 2020s sees Helen Mirren taking on some of her most intriguing roles yet, blending her gravitas with a lighter, more commercial appeal. The sheer variety of her current slate is a clear indicator of her enduring star power.

1. The Thursday Murder Club (2025) - The Cozy Mystery Lead

This is arguably her most anticipated upcoming project. Mirren will star as Elizabeth, one of the four septuagenarian amateur sleuths in the film adaptation of Richard Osman’s smash-hit novel, The Thursday Murder Club. The movie is set to be released on Netflix in late Summer 2025 and is directed by Chris Columbus. Sharing the screen with co-stars like Pierce Brosnan and Ben Kingsley, this role showcases her comedic timing in a high-stakes, yet charming, murder mystery.

2. White Bird (2024) - The Powerful Narrator

Released in October 2024, White Bird is a powerful drama where Mirren reprises her role as Grandmère, a character from the Wonder universe. The film, which explores the story of a young Jewish girl hidden by a family in Nazi-occupied France, is a testament to Mirren’s commitment to poignant, character-driven narratives.

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3. Switzerland (TBA) - The Crime Novelist

In a role that is sure to draw critical acclaim, Mirren is set to play the iconic, reclusive crime novelist Patricia Highsmith in the fictional film Switzerland. This project promises a deep dive into the complex psyche of an artist, a type of challenging, nuanced role that Mirren excels at.

4. Barbie (2023) - The Uncredited Narrator

One of her most unexpected and delightful recent appearances was as the witty and self-aware Narrator in Greta Gerwig's cultural phenomenon, Barbie. Her voiceover work added a layer of dry, sophisticated humor to the film, proving she can elevate even the smallest, most unconventional role in a major blockbuster.

5. Fast X (2023) - The Action Franchise Favorite

Mirren returned to the high-octane world of the Fast & Furious action franchise as Queenie Shaw in Fast X. Her role as the formidable matriarch of the Shaw family offers a thrilling juxtaposition to her more regal roles, showcasing her ability to be a "kick-ass assassin" and a compelling figure in a massive Hollywood series.

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The Iconic Roles That Defined a Career

While her current projects are exciting, Helen Mirren's legacy rests on a foundation of monumental performances that have become benchmarks in cinema and television history. These roles cemented her status as an Oscar winner and a true theater icon.

The Queen (2006) - The Triumph of Queen Elizabeth II

Her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in Stephen Frears' The Queen is the performance for which she is most widely celebrated. The film, which focuses on the Royal Family's reaction to the death of Princess Diana, earned Mirren the Academy Award for Best Actress, a BAFTA, and a Golden Globe. Her subtle, deeply human performance captured the diplomatic nuance between the monarch and then-Prime Minister Tony Blair (Michael Sheen), setting a new standard for on-screen royalty.

Prime Suspect (1991–2006) - Detective Jane Tennison

Long before her Oscar win, Mirren revolutionized television drama as Detective Chief Inspector Jane Tennison in the British series Prime Suspect. Tennison was one of the first female Detective Chief Inspectors to lead a homicide squad on screen, navigating a deeply misogynistic environment. The role was uncompromising, careerist, and complex, raising the bar for police dramas globally and earning her multiple Emmy Awards.

From Shakespeare to Blockbusters: The Versatility of Dame Helen Mirren

Helen Mirren's career is a masterclass in genre-hopping. She began her career with the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), bringing a classical training to every subsequent role, whether it was a mythological queen or a secret agent. This remarkable versatility is what makes her filmography so rich and rewarding to explore.

• Early Fantasy: Her role as Morgana in the 1981 epic Excalibur showcased her dramatic prowess in the fantasy genre, a world away from her later realistic dramas.
• Ensemble Excellence: In Robert Altman’s Gosford Park (2001), Mirren delivered a memorable performance as Mrs. Wilson, a role that contributed to the film's ensemble cast success and her own accolades.
• Action Comedy: The Red film series, co-starring Bruce Willis, allowed her to embrace a comedic, yet lethal, persona, proving her appeal in the contemporary action-comedy space.

Whether she is playing a historical figure like Queen Elizabeth II or a fictional powerhouse like Queenie Shaw, Helen Mirren consistently delivers performances that are layered, compelling, and utterly memorable. Her upcoming projects, particularly the highly anticipated The Thursday Murder Club, ensure that her reign over Hollywood will continue for years to come.