In the 1990s Roache began a career in films while remaining active in television and on stage. In 1994 he received acclaim for his leading role in Antonia Bird's "Priest". He went on to star opposite Helena Bonham Carter in the 1997 film "The Wings of the Dove" and to play the role of Thomas Wayne, father of Batman, in "Batman Begins" (2005). On television he played Executive Assistant District Attorney Michael Cutter in two American series, "Law & Order" (2008–2010) and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (2011–2012).