Benedict Cumberbatch: The Art of Balancing Blockbusters and Deep Roles

This year, Benedict Cumberbatch is one of the leading contenders for an Oscar. His ability to balance profound roles with blockbuster films is truly remarkable. We delve into his unique career, his thoughts on time, and why he believes science and art are closely intertwined.

The Marvel Phenomenon

The latest installment of the Avengers series, “Avengers: Infinity War,” has become one of the most successful films in the history of world cinema. By bringing together most of the Marvel superheroes in one film, the creators have sparked the interest of all their fans, ensuring packed movie theaters worldwide.

The open-ended conclusion of the film guarantees that theaters will be full again next year for the sequel to “Infinity War,” as audiences eagerly await the outcome of the superheroes’ battle with Thanos.

Meanwhile, fans are left in suspense about the fate of Earth’s greatest heroes, including the beloved Doctor Strange, portrayed by the unique and incomparable Benedict Cumberbatch.

Royal Lineage

Benedict Cumberbatch’s hard-to-pronounce surname and his distinctive aristocratic appearance can be traced back to his father, through whom he is related to King Edward III. This is the same king who initiated the infamous Hundred Years’ War in the 14th century. Additionally, it was Cumberbatch’s ancestor who established the famous Order of the Garter, which remains the highest order of chivalry in Britain.

Although Benedict himself is not a knight and does not formally hold the title of “sir,” he was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2015. He received a blue enamel cross from the Queen, making his aristocratic heritage not just a matter of blood but also a tangible honor. This is a legacy he can pass on to his two sons, whom he long dreamed of having.

Family Life

Rumors suggest that Benedict’s reluctance to have children was the reason for his split with actress Olivia Poulet in January 2011, after a 12-year relationship. Sophie Hunter, an opera director, was a long-time friend, and their relationship turned romantic in 2013. They announced their engagement the following year and married on Valentine’s Day in 2015.

Their first son, Christopher Carlton, was born on June 1, 2015, and their second son, Hal, was born on March 10, 2017. Hal was named after Prince Hal, who later became King Henry V, a character in William Shakespeare’s plays. Given Benedict’s admiration for the legendary British playwright, the choice of such an unusual name is not surprising. Perhaps Hal will inherit his father’s acting talent.

Since starting a family, Benedict has firmly resisted any attempts by journalists to pry into his personal life. He valiantly protects his wife and two sons from any external intrusion, as befits a true knight.

Career and Passions

Benedict is willing to discuss his work and himself, and he does so openly and thoroughly.

“What do you prefer: participating in mega-superhero films or in more intimate projects? And how do you manage to balance both types of work?

“It’s quite simple: participating in such diverse projects gives me, as an actor, the opportunity to gain varied experiences. To create films that tell touching stories about the subtle experiences of characters, one needs a certain independence, which does not arise by itself. At the same time, I am a big fan of loud and bright scenes, such as those in the “Avengers.”

“I am well aware of how lucky I am to be part of such a grand franchise with an army of fans. At the same time, I never associate the acting profession with status. Even those iconic roles that have brought a certain status in the acting world were interesting to me, certainly not for the possibility of obtaining that status. After any mega-project, I happily return to the theater stages or to the television set.”

“Congratulations are in order: you have taken the post of president of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. How do you manage everything?

“Yes, it is a great honor for me to head such a prestigious institution. But I see this position as an additional opportunity to immerse myself in theatrical life, to attend rehearsals, to observe young actors: to inspire and be inspired myself.”

“Fortunately, this position is nominal and does not require full dedication. I will be able to continue working on my own projects.”

The Versatile Cumberbatch

Born into an acting family and feeling the calling from a young age, Benedict took a serious approach to mastering the craft of acting. With his undeniable magnetism, the talented actor has proven that he can create unforgettable characters regardless of the medium through which they are presented to the audience.

His portrayal of Hamlet on the theater stage, his embodiment of Sherlock Holmes for contemporary youth through television, and his depiction of the English cryptographer Alan Turing in the film “The Imitation Game” have all evoked strong emotional responses from the public, who eagerly await his new works.

This year, in addition to the Marvel blockbuster, Benedict will appear in two television films produced by SunnyMarch, the production studio he heads. The film “The Child in Time,” based on the novel by Ian McEwan, tells the sad yet uplifting story of a young family who experience a tragic and absurd loss of their own child.

The television series “Patrick Melrose,” based on the autobiographical novels by Edward St. Aubyn, also touches on childhood themes, albeit in a different context. The mistreatment of a child often leaves lasting scars, and the character played by Benedict Cumberbatch, Patrick Melrose, is a vivid example. After going through the hell of drug addiction, Patrick Melrose finds the strength to fight for himself.

“Both of your recent television projects deal with dramas in which the characters you portray experience heavy emotional turmoil. Transforming into these characters must require intense immersion into their complex states. I can’t help but wonder: do you enjoy testing your psyche?

“No, I don’t think I enjoy testing my psyche. And I doubt it’s possible, as fortunately, I have never experienced such turmoil in real life. Therefore, all attempts to create a portrait of my characters remain just that—attempts to put myself in their shoes.

“As an actor, I am interested in exploring human nature, and I am constantly in the process of searching for the state of my characters, sometimes getting closer to them and sometimes distancing myself.

“In working on the film “The Child in Time,” I was primarily attracted to the opportunity to create a portrait of an ordinary person, quite different from the characters I had played before. Playing him, I even wore my own clothes. But at the same time, I often felt exposed and vulnerable.”