Denis contributed a Doodle to the National Doodle Campaign (2008), which auctions off celebrity doodles for charity (The Neurofibromatosis Association).
In 1999 he directed his nephew Ewan McGregor in the play Little Malcolm and His Struggle Against the Eunuchs, in the West End of London.
He also directed him in the Channel 4 production of Ian McKewan'sSolid Geometry.
So keen was Denis to play the character of John Jarndyce well in Bleak House that he asked the writers to create a back story that would explain his current circumstances.
TV Awards
BAFTA Awards
Best Actor for Bleak House (2006) (Nomination).
Emmy Awards
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie for his performance in Bleak House (2006) (Nomination).
(on "Sensitive Skin", the series he stars in with Joanna Lumley)
Denis: There are moments that make you die laughing, and then suddenly it's very sad. I've never come across anything like it.
(on what brought him to "Jekyll")
Denis: It was the writing that really attracted me to the part – I mean they are really exceptional scripts – very witty, really scary, sometimes both at the same time, which makes it a phenomenal drama.
(on "The Skillset Film Lab")
Denis: This is an opportunity to get information about the film-making process across to actors - and information is power.
(on playing Wedge Antilles in the "Star Wars films.
Denis: They were the least important jobs I've ever done. I just sat in a chair and talked. It's ludicrous, but people tell me it changed their lives. I find it bewildering.