Michelle Williams versus Meryl Streep in Oscar race

MERYL Streep’s turn as Margaret Thatcher has secured the actress her 17th Oscar nomination, while Gary Oldman has clinched his first for his performance as a spymaster.

Streep, 62, is favourite to win best actress for her role as the former British prime minister in The Iron Lady.

But she faces stiff competition from, among others, Michelle Williams for her role as screen siren Marilyn Monroe in My Week With Marilyn.

British actor Gary Oldman, 53, who has never been nominated before despite some acclaimed performances, is in the running for best actor for his role as George Smiley in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.

Silent black and white film The Artist has 10 nominations, including best film, director, actor for French star Jean Dujardin and supporting actress for Berenice Bejo.

Only one film – Hugo, Martin Scorsese’s 3D ode to early cinema – has more nominations but many of its nods are in technical categories.

Britons Kenneth Branagh, 51, and Albert Nobbs star Janet McTeer, 50, are also in the running for the supporting actor categories.