Rising Star: Henry Cavill

Access Hollywood

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Henry Cavill took his first leap into the acting world at the Stowe Boarding School in England, where he honed the craft that would eventually land him opposite some of Hollywood's acting greats. He got his start with smaller roles in films such as "The Count of Monte Cristo," "Tristan + Isolde," and last year's magical romp, "Stardust," opposite Claire Danes, Robert De Niro, and Michelle Pfeiffer. The entertainment world stopped and took notice of Access Hollywood's latest Rising Star, when Cavill was cast on Showtime's racy period drama, "The Tudors."

Henry plays Charles Brandon, a close confidant to King Henry VIII, played by Jonathan Rhys Meyers. "The Tudors is a gripping drama set in King Henry's court, where plotting, scheming, and backstabbing-- not to mention plenty of sex, are all in a day's work.

[ On TV: Showtime's 'The Tudors' - Play it Now ]

Charles plays an important role in King Henry's quest to free himself from his marriage to Queen Katherine of Aragon in order to marry his mistress, Anne Boleyn. Charles acts as King Henry's right-hand-man, always there to ensure the king's every whim and desire is taken care of. Henry doesn't only play wingman to Jonathan Rhys Meyers' King Henry. Henry has already had his fair share of onscreen romances and sizzling scenes which remind us why "The Tudors" isn't on network television.

Henry is not stopping with the small screen. He just wrapped the Joel Schumacher horror film, "Town Creek," opposite "Prison Break's" Dominic Purcell, which is set in the world of the occult. Henry is currently filming the new Woody Allen film with Evan Rachel Wood and funny-man Larry David.

[ Henry Cavill - Check Out the Photos ]

(Fun fact: Henry Cavill was one of two runners-up to play James Bond in 2006 - the role eventually went to Daniel Craig)