After minor television appearances, including in "The Professionals", his first major success arose through the British autobiographical film "Distant Voices, Still Lives" (1988). He had a transatlantic breakthrough when he portrayed David in "Alien 3" (1992), and his international reputation was further solidified when he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for "In the Name of the Father" (1993). Following this role, he portrayed the mysterious lawyer Mr. Kobayashi in "The Usual Suspects," and went on to appear in a wide variety of films.