Best portraits of 2013 – in pictures

Malala Yousafzai, schoolgirl, education activist, and blogger who championed women's rights in her native Pakistan. Photographed here at the new Birmingham library, which she opened at the time of the release of her memoir 'I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot By the Taliban' in October Photograph: Christopher Thomond for the Guardian

Nigel Farage, the leader of the United Kingdom Independence party, interviewed in January for G2 Photograph: David Levene for the Guardian

Nigel Kennedy interviewed in March for Portrait of the Artist Photograph: Linda Nylind for the Guardian

Actor Rafe Spall, star of I Give It a Year, interviewed for Weekend magazine in January Photograph: David Levene for the Guardian

Comedian and TV presenter Simon Amstell, interviewed in December for G2 Photograph: Sarah Lee for the Guardian

Turkey farmer Paul Kelly tastes nut roasts in Danbury, Essex. Interviewed in the run-up to Christmas for Life and Style Photograph: Graeme Robertson for the Guardian

Singer Laura Mvula, who was nominated for the Mercury prize, interviewed at the Glastonbury festival Photograph: Christian Sinibaldi for the Guardian

Actor Ruth Wilson, interviewed in December for G2 as she made her directing debut Photograph: Sarah Lee for the Guardian

Reggae artist Stylo G, interviewed in May for G2 Photograph: Graeme Robertson for the Guardian

Footballer Robbie Rogers announced his retirement – and that he is gay – in February. See more from the Shoreditch shoot in the gallery Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Chloe Smith, Conservative MP, on Westminster Bridge. She resigned from the Cabinet Office in October, saying she wanted to 'develop other ways of giving public service'. Photograph: Graham Turner for the Guardian

Daniel Doherty, head chef at restaurant Duck and Waffle, with a pig's head as an alternative Christmas lunch. Interviewed for Life & Style Photograph: Felix Clay for the Guardian

Zawe Ashton, star of Fresh Meat, interviewed for the Guide in November Photograph: Linda Nylind for the Guardian

Alistair Darling, Labour politician and former chancellor, interviewed in September for Business Photograph: Murdo MacLeod for the Guardian

Peter Saville, art director and graphic designer, interviewed for Arts in September Photograph: Martin Godwin for the Guardian

Nick Hancock photographed in May preparing to spend 60 days on Rockall, a tiny outcrop in the Atlantic. The expedition was called off because of adverse weather conditions Photograph: Murdo MacLeod for the Guardian

Swedish actor Krister Henriksson, star of Wallander, interviewed for Arts in April Photograph: Sarah Lee for the Guardian

The band Haim photographed in November for the Guide Photograph: Linda Nylind for the Guardian

Author Iain Banks's final interview, for which he was photographed a few weeks before he died of cancer in June Photograph: Murdo MacLeod for the Guardian

Chris Froome, road cyclist, interviewed in January in Spain before he went on to win the 2013 Tour de France Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Writer Tash Aw, interviewed in March for Saturday review Photograph: Graeme Robertson for the Guardian

Keir Starmer, departing director of public prosecutions, interviewed in October Photograph: Felix Clay for the Guardian

Black Veil Brides – CC, Ashley, Andy, Jake and Jinxx – in their dressing room before going on stage at Southampton Guildhall, interviewed in February for Music Photograph: Martin Godwin for the Guardian

Actor John Hannah interviewed in April for Portrait of the artist Photograph: Christian Sinibaldi for the Guardian

Maya Jane Coles Music producer and DJ. Interviewed for the Guide in November Photograph: David Levene for the Guardian

Paris Lees, a presenter and transgender rights activist, at Newstead Abbey. Interviewed for Society in December Photograph: David Sillitoe for the Guardian

Then Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini pictured at Manchester airport. Interviewed in February for Sport Photograph: Christopher Thomond for the Guardian

Zoe, host of the Funny Girls drag revue bar, prepares for a Christmas show. Photographed for Eyewitness Photograph: Sean Smith for the Guardian