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| Benedict Cumberbatch |
Well, my choice of Benedict Cumberbatch for my actor of the week was easy after the enthusiastic response to my
Sherlock post earlier in the week. Apparently he has quite a following and no wonder. Talented and very handsome (in a striking kind of way) he has also done a fair number of period dramas. He sounds like he has a good sense of humour, as is evidenced by his comment on his name and **ahem** other topics.
"Cumberbatch - it sounds like a fart in a bath, doesn't it? What a fluffy
old name. I can never say it on a Monday morning. When I became an
actor, Mum wasn't keen on me keeping it."
"I always seem to
be cast as slightly wan, ethereal, troubled intellectuals or physically
ambivalent bad lovers. But I’m here to tell you I’m quite the opposite
in real life. In fact I’m a f***ing fantastic lover."
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| Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman in Sherlock |
On Martin Freeman (Dr. John Watson) in
Sherlock at the 2011 Bafta awards- "It
is a double act, and he’s my wingman and he’s just phenomenal, and he’s
a joy to work with. In no small way, he keeps me afloat and happy
during the day as well. And he’s just a brilliant presence to be
around. He’s just a scream. And we adore each other. In a very
*platonic*, non… you know, way."
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| Benedict Cumberbatch in War Horse with Patrick Kennedy and Tom Hiddleston |
Recalling his audition for the part of Major Jamie Stewart in
War Horse, based on a novel by Michael Morpurgo, Benedict says: "Steven (Spielberg) wanted me to go and read a script. I went along, had a little
chat about the part and off I went. A week and a half later I got
another call from my agent who said, ‘Ben, he wants you to do it’. I was so excited. It was the most grown up moment of my life. I was
told I couldn’t tell anyone. I was walking around with this huge grin on
my face and couldn’t speak with excitement.”
He had to learn how to ride a horse for the role. Apparently although he attended the tony Harrow School with the horsy set of the English aristocracy, he had only minimal experience on a horse.
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| Benedict Cumberbatch as Paul Marshall in Atonement |
As Paul Marshall in
Atonement, Cumberbatch plays a creepy rapist who lets poor Robbie (James McAvoy) go to jail for his crime. Not my favourite role of his, but effective. Perhaps too effective!
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| Benedict Cumberbatch as Peter Guillam in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy |
He has a meaty role in
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy however, why did they have to change the character of Guillam into a homosexual for the film? Not appreciated by the ladies!
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| Benedict Cumberbatch as Bernard in Small Island |
Apparently, he won a best supporting actor BAFTA for his role as "dull and sexless" Bernard in
Small Island. This looks very intriguing even if his character is dull and sexless!!! Anyone seen it?
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| Benedict Cumberbatch as Pitt the Younger in Amazing Grace |
Phwoar! Methinks I like him in a powdered wig! As William Pitt the Younger in
Amazing Grace, he makes one nice looking Prime Minister. Nothing against David Cameron but really...
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| Benedict Cumberbatch in To the Ends of the Earth |
As Edmund Talbot, an English gentleman sailing to Australia to take up a government post, he makes the miniseries
To the Ends of the Earth really look like it's worth watching. Especially if I tell you there is a lovely scene with his naked posterior (click here for a view of
the elusive cumberbutt) running around the ship! Again, anyone seen this one?
He has done a few more period dramas including
Creation,
The Other Boleyn Girl,
Tipping the Velvet,
Dunkirk and
Van Gogh: Painted with Words. He also alternated roles in
Frankenstein with Jonny Lee Miller for National Theatre Live. They each got to play the role of Dr. Frankenstein and The Creature on different performances.
We look forward to the next season of
Sherlock, as well as his voicing of Smaug in
The Hobbit and an as yet unnamed bad guy in the new
Star Trek film. Rock on Benedict!
