Oscars 2019: British stars stun on the Academy Awards red carpet

Hollywood's biggest night in film was overrun with British talent on Sunday evening as the 91st Annual Academy Awards kicked off in Los Angeles.

And with a weight of expectation on their shoulders, Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress nominees Olivia Colman, 45, and Rachel Weisz, 48, fought for the spotlight in red and green gowns. 

Also brightening up the night from Blighty were English actresses Helen Mirren, 73, Gemma Chan, 36, and Emilia Clarke, 32, who wore an array of spring-like shades.

Rachel, who is expected to collect one of The Favourite's 10 Oscars on the night, was wearing a structured scarlet dress that featured clashing textures.

New mum Rachel, 48, welcomed her first child with husband Daniel Craig in September 2018 so this will be her first Academy Awards ceremony since becoming a mum again.

Glowing for a very different reason, Helen Mirren revealed to The Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye on the red carpet that she was wearing $6million (£4.59m) worth of Harry Winston diamonds to the event. 

'They’re worth more than a house,' the actress joked about how she'd accessorised her Schiaparelli dress. 

Meanwhile, Olivia Colman played things safe when it came to her palette, choosing a neutral ivy shade that offset her raven-coloured pixie cropped hair.

The former Peep Show star covered her shoulders with a semi-sheer wrap that tied in a bow at the back of her dress.

It's set to be a big night for Olivia, who is tipped for the win in the category of Best Actress, for The Favourite.

So far during awards season, she has collected the BAFTA and Golden Globe award for the biographical drama, in which she plays Queen Anne. 

The movie itself is nominated for a further eight awards, including major categories: Best Picture, Best Director and Best Original Screenplay. 

Both also starring in The Favourite, homegrown actors Nicholas Hoult and Joe Alwyn teamed up for their red carpet appearance on Sunday, looking sharp in black tuxedos.  

Instead of hoping for a prize Game Of Thrones actress Emilia will be presenting one at the first host-less Oscars in 30 years. 

She was shimmering when she arrived in a lilac Balmain gown that hugged her petite proportions, but it was her total hair makeover that garnered attention.

Formerly an icey blonde, Emilia went back to her roots on Sunday night with a sleek brunette bob that suited her down to the ground.

With just two months to go until Game Of Thrones enters its a long-awaited final series, the 32-year-old ushered in a new post-Khaleesi era with a hair do that was worlds away from her icy blonde alter-ego.

Her structured dress, with a petite train and skintight design, was quite the contrast to Gemma Chan's voluminous pink gown that stretched behind her down the red carpet.