He had dyslexia prior to it being recognised as a learning disability. In 1990 at the age of 19, Bettany began a three-year course at the Drama Centre London in Chalk Farm. He made his stage debut in Stephen Daldry's acclaimed West End revival of "An Inspector Calls" at the Aldwych Theatre, playing the part of Eric Birling. He also appeared in the Royal Shakespeare Company's productions of "Richard III", "Romeo and Juliet", and "Julius Caesar" (for which he received a Charleson Award nomination). When Bettany was 21 he appeared in a BBC production of "Oliver Twist", playing Bill Sikes. After appearing in the finale of Sean Bean's series "Sharpe" as William II of the Netherlands at the Battle of Waterloo, he made his film debut with a small part in "Bent", a Holocaust drama which also featured Clive Owen, Jude Law, and Ian McKellen. He continued doing work in stage and television: these included Joe Penhall's "Love and Understanding", which played at London's Bush Theatre and then ran in Connecticut. He had roles in the television productions "Killer Net" and "Coming Home", during which he met and dated Emily Mortimer. His last stage work was in "One More Wasted Year" and "Stranger's House" at the Royal Court Theatre. He filmed several more movies, including his first leading role in "Gangster No. 1". The British Independent Film Awards nominated him for Best Actor, and the London Film Critics' Circle nominated him for British Newcomer of the Year. Back in Hollywood, writer/director Brian Helgeland ("L.A. Confidential") was planning a new film called "The Sin Eater" (also known as "The Order"). He was impressed by Bettany's audition tape, though Helgeland eventually decided to film "A Knight's Tale" instead. The studio executives were not impressed, but Helgeland was determined to cast him, even writing the part of Chaucer for him. "A Knight's Tale" would be Bettany's first big Hollywood production. He received critical acclaim for "A Knight's Tale", including winning the London Film Critics Circle Award for Best British Supporting Actor. After the movie wrapped, Helgeland, determined that Hollywood should recognize Bettany's talent, showed the audition tape to many of his peers, including Ron Howard, who promptly cast Bettany in "A Beautiful Mind". After "A Beautiful Mind", Bettany was offered the role of serial killer Francis Dolarhyde in "Red Dragon", opposite Edward Norton and Anthony Hopkins.