Having turned her hand to a huge variety of roles, she could never be accused of being typecast. From Caligula to The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover, from Excalibur to her Oscar-nominated role in Gosford Park, she has firmly secured her status as a national treasure. It was, though, her role as the gritty and tough lead in Prime Suspect that won her a place in the hearts of the nation. Yet despite her high profile, relatively little is known of this amazing woman. Top showbusiness journalist and biographer Ivan Waterman has dug deep to learn the truth behind the actress. He has spoken to a host of sources to find out the real stories on the boyfriends, her marriage and the inside workings of the film industry.