Claire Danes has said that her lead role in the 2011 television drama ‘Homeland’ revived her career after she felt sidelined by Hollywood. The series made her a major television star and brought widespread critical recognition, demonstrating how a successful television role could offer an established film actor a route back into prominence.

Before ‘Homeland’, Danes had spent years working mainly in independent films and theatre after early success in projects including ‘My So-Called Life’, ‘Romeo + Juliet’ and ‘The Hours’. She described that period as “grim”, but her portrayal of CIA officer Carrie Mathison won her two Emmy Awards and two Golden Globes, while ‘Homeland’ became a major success during its eight-season run.