In 1977, he was cast in the lead role of the play "Gotcha!" about an under-achieving student who holds two teachers hostage on his last day at school. An early film role was as Chalky, a mod who is knocked off his scooter by a rocker in "Quadrophenia" (1979). He then landed the role of midshipman Edward "Ned" Young in "The Bounty" (1984); co-star Daniel Day-Lewis later rated him as one of his greatest inspirations. He appeared in the TV series "To Have and to Hold" with Amanda Redman. He began a long association with Mike Leigh with roles including Cyril the motorcycle courier in "High Hopes" (1988) and as Stanley, the husband of the abortionist in "Vera Drake" (2004).