Irons played a difficult role two years later in Dead Ringers. In fact, it was two roles, because he played the part of identical twins, Elliot and Beverly Mantle. It is a dark tale directed by David Cronenberg. The twins are both gynecologists and share their romantic entanglements as well as a career. Genevieve Bujold plays the love interest. Of all the Jeremy Irons movies, this was one of the most challenging for him.
There was a lighter feel to the made for TV film, Danny the Champion of the World, shown in 1989. Adapted from the Roald Dahl children’s book, Irons played William, the owner of a gas station in 1950s rural England. It is the charming story of a father and son relationship, all the more impressive because Iron’s own son Samuel played his screen son Danny. The widowed father and son must fight to keep their way of life when the gas station is threatened. Samuel proved to be as talented as his father. This movie with Jeremy Irons also featured Robbie Coltrane and Jimmy Nail.