With leading parts in Kevin Reynolds’ adaptations of The Count of Monte Cristo and Laguna (2001), Cavill made his film debut. He went on to play in television movies Goodbye.

Throughout 2003, he had minor appearances in several movies, including Tristan & Isolde, Hellraiser: Hellworld, Red Riding Hood, and I Capture the Castle. In Matthew Vaughn’s adaption of Stardust, he had a supporting role.

In the Showtime television series The Tudors, which ran from 2007 to 2010, Cavill played Charles Brandon, 1st Duke of Suffolk. The role was portrayed by Cavill from 2007 until 2010. Due to the series’ commercial success, it received recognition in the form of nominations for both the 2007 Golden Globe and the 2008 Emmy Awards. Cavill stated, “It’s done the most for me to date,” in acknowledgment of the show’s contribution to his professional growth. 

Since the Tudors, there exists a prospective customer base in the United States that is aware of my identity, which gives me more opportunities to market my items. Entertainment Weekly referred to him as the “Most Dashing Duke,” praising his portrayal on The Tudors for having “charm, depth, and a killer bod.”

Jerry Bruckheimer will produce the next World War II spy film, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, which is helmed by Guy Ritchie and starring Henry Cavill. Cavill and Netflix made the announcement late in October 2022 that Cavill would be leaving The Witcher following the third season, which was supposed to air in 2023. In his place, Liam Hemsworth was chosen.

Following the announcement in December 2022 that Amazon Studios had acquired the global rights to the Warhammer 40,000 property, Henry Cavill was confirmed to executive produce and star in many projects related to the series.