British hopefuls look to Globes

The Office faces competition from Sex and the City

British acting talent will be up against American rivals in the Golden Globes on Sunday.

The Office star Ricky Gervais faces Friends actor Matt LeBlanc, among others, for best TV comedy actor.

The Office is also in the running for best comedy - the first non-American series to be shortlisted for the category.

The annual star-studded event in Los Angeles is largely seen as a pointer to the Oscars.

From the big screen, Jude Law in Cold Mountain will have to fight off Sir Ben Kingsley in The House of Sand and Fog for the best actor award.

Dame Helen Mirren has two nominations, best comedy actress for Calendar Girls and best actress in a TV movie for The Roman Spring Of Mrs Stone, in which she romps with Olivier Martinez.

Joely Richardson is up for the best TV actress award for the cosmetic surgery drama Nip/Tuck.

Jude Law co-stars with Nicole Kidman in Cold Mountain

Albert Finney is hoping for his fourth Golden Globe for best supporting actor in Tim Burton's Big Fish.

Other British hopefuls are Richard Curtis (best screenplay for Love Actually), Anthony Minghella (best director and screenplay for Cold Mountain), Tom Wilkinson (best TV actor for Normal) and Dame Maggie Smith (best TV actress for My House In Umbria).

Two British films are in the running for best comedy - Love Actually and Bend It Like Beckham are competing with Big Fish, Finding Nemo and Lost In Translation.

The best film category will be the most fiercely fought.

The contenders are Cold Mountain; The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King; Master And Commander: The Far Side Of The World; Mystic River; and Seabiscuit.