1 NOVEMBER 2005

Flame-haired actor Damian Lewis had plenty of reason to smile on Monday night as he cosied up to two of Britain's hottest young actresses at the premiere of his new flick Keane.

The 34-year-old was photographed with his girlfriend Helen McCrory on one arm and Sienna Miller on the other. But keeping such glamorous company wasn't the only reason for his good spirits: he is already receiving critical plaudits for his first big screen outing as a leading man.

In the film Damian takes on the kind of complex and challenging role that so many actors dream of. His character, a lonely schizophrenic called William, spends his days in Manhattan's Port Authority Bus Terminal searching for the daughter who was kidnapped from him years before. The film may turn out to have a big impact on the performer's career, with one reviewer Stateside declaring "he should get every acting award with the possible exception of best actress".