In 1987, Kenneth Branagh auditioned for an iconic British movie role despite having “no chance”

In 1987, Kenneth Branagh auditioned for the lead role in *Withnail and I*, but assumed he had little chance when he saw Richard E Grant waiting to audition. Grant was cast as Withnail, helping create a performance at the centre of what became one of Britain’s best-loved cult films.

Branagh recalled the audition while reflecting on his early career and the other ambitious actors he encountered in London theatre, including Rupert Everett, Gary Oldman, Tim Roth, Daniel Day-Lewis and Colin Firth. At the time, Grant had only a few television credits and fringe theatre experience in South Africa. The article notes that writer-director Bruce Robinson later said Branagh might also have made the role work.