Benedict Cumberbatch is the Sherlock the modern world craved. His portrayal of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous detective helped form his reputation as someone who brilliantly portrays calculating, genius, and, at times, socially awkward men. This reputation earned him leading roles as Julian Assange, Alan Turing, and the Marvel comic character Stephen Strange.
Sherlock
Since 2010, the British actor has been solving crimes as Sherlock Holmes in the critically acclaimed Sherlock TV series, which presents a modern picture of the classic detective stories. While set in the present day, episodes often draw on themes from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s original stories.
With each season of the show only containing three 90-minute episodes, Cumberbatch is able to showcase his skills in what seem like mini-movies. He portrays Holmes as unemotional and brilliant. But, the true feat is that he makes the audience fall in love with someone as cold and calculating as the character he plays. It comes as no surprise that he has won four Emmy’s for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie for his role in the show.
The Fifth Estate
A first big role on the big screen came in the 2013 film Fifth Estate, in which the actor portrays Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks. While his appearance with bleach-blonde hair makes him almost unrecognizable, his unique talent is easy to see. Despite the film having mixed critical reviews, he plays Assange extraordinarily well. His performance contributed to being awarded the British Artist of the Year by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.
The Imitation Game
In the Imitation Game, Benedict Cumberbatch plays Alan Turing, a brilliant mathematician who played a big role in the victory of the Allied Forces during World War II. Once again, he displays his ability to depict an eccentric and detached genius who the audience can’t help but love. By the end of the film, the actor and his co-star, Keira Knightley, will have taken you on an emotional roller coaster ride. His role as Turing earned him a Golden Globe nomination for Lead Actor in a Motion Picture.
Doctor Strange
In 2016, he had the chance to step into the world of fantasy and magic with his portrayal of Stephen Strange in the superhero film Doctor Strange. Again, he found himself playing a smart but socially flawed character. Strange is a former surgeon who begins magical training when a car accident ends his career. Strange’s biggest flaw is his arrogance, but Cumberbatch’s acting skillfully shows how the doctor moves to a point of recognizing his own limitations. His portrayal of Dr. Strange won him several awards, including Best Actor in an Action Movie from the Critics’ Choice Awards.
