Benedict Cumberbatch’s 8 best characters, ranked

Benedict Cumberbatch Has become one of the most recognizable British actors of recent times thanks to his roles in various mainstream movies and TV shows. From serious dramas to comedy movies aimed at children, Cumberbatch has obviously demonstrated his incredible versatility in adapting to any role he takes on. He is an actor with The rare ability to effortlessly maintain a larger-than-life stage presence while still allowing for great levels of emotional depth and nuance.

This article celebrates some of Cumberbatch’s best characters in both movies and television. Whether he’s portraying the world’s most famous detective, a fire-breathing dragon, or an emotionally complex ranch owner, these are the characters that have truly cemented Cumberbatch as one of the most respected actors in Hollywood today. These roles have earned him a loyal global fan base and innumerable levels of critical acclaim, including a Primetime Emmy Award and nominations for two Academy Awards ( via IMDb).

8

Phil Burbank

The Power of the Dog (2021)

Cumberbatch stars in Jane Campion’s The power of the dog Like Phil Burbank, a wealthy ranch owner in 1925 Montana. Phil is a cruel, unhappy man who doesn’t trust anyone, especially the local widow Mrs. Rose Gordon (Kirsten Dunst). Phil even goes so far as to berate Rose’s son, Peter (Cody Smith-McPhee), highlighting the ranch owner’s indiscriminate cruelty. The power of the dog is a slow-burning, psychological drama, with Phil at its heart.

The role that earned Cumberbatch his second Academy Award nomination, Phil Burbank, is much more than just an angry old man, but an emotionally complex character. Cumberbatch masterfully grapples with the tension of Phil’s rough and tumble exterior with his hidden insecurities and inner torment, re-establishing his ability to dive into the most challenging roles in the movie world. Phil’s complexity as a character, along with Cumberbatch’s portrayal, easily earns him a spot on the list.

7

Agent classified

Penguins of Madagascar (2014)

Cumberbatch lends his voice to the ultra-serious wolf leader of a spy organization called the North Wind, Agent Classified, in 2014 Penguins of Madagascar. Classified is designed as a character to be cool, authoritative and constantly serious, meaning that much of his comedic value comes from his interaction with the zaniness of the titular penguins. Cumberbatch also brings his accent to the role, Adding more layers of humor to an already hilarious movie.

Even in an animated role, Cumberbatch’s voice work is able to stand out for his incredible comic timing and the deadpan nature that characterizes Classified. The role showcases not only his ability to be authoritative as an actor, but also Cumberbatch’s wicked charm and ability to play off other characters. Classified is sultry, dangerous, and serious, and brings a lot to it Penguins of MadagascarIn terms of plot as well as jokes.

6

William Ford

12 Years a Slave (2013)

In this gut-wrenching historical drama 12 years a slaveCumberbatch plays William Ford, a plantation owner in the American South. While Ford himself is a generally good-natured man, his position as a slave owner leaves him morally compromised in the eyes of audiences, making him one of the most complex characters Cumberbatch has ever portrayed. Although Ford saves Solomon (Chiwetel Ejiofor) from being lynched, It is still impossible for viewers to really take a liking to this character.

In his role as Ford, Cumberbatch was able to bring his acting gravitas to a supporting role that was able to elevate 12 years a slave. The highlight of the movie is, of course, Ejiofor’s performance, but Cumberbatch is able to bring an uncomfortable sense of humanity to the movie that catalyzes the storyline and makes it all the more heartbreaking when Solomon is sold to the far more ruthless Edwin Epps (Michael Fassbender). ). Ford is an incredible character, demonstrating the horrors of complicity in the face of injustice, and Cumberbatch is able to capture the moral cowardice of the plantation owner.

5

Patrick Melrose

Patrick Melrose (2018)

Based on the semi-autobiographical novels of Edward St. Aubin, the 2018 miniseries Patrick Melrose Cumberbatch takes on the role of the titular character. Patrick is a wealthy Englishman, with the show following the eponymous character at different stages in his complex and fragmented life. From the trauma of his abusive father and neglectful mother, to his battles with addiction and attempts at recovery, Cumberbatch delivers a breathtaking performance here.

Patrick Melrose is probably one of the most demanding roles of Cumberbatch’s entire career, with the actor required to bring a wide range of emotional complexity to the role. Cumberbatch captures the true essence of dark humor in certain scenes, with The delivery of this humor is accompanied by a biting wit that reveals Patrick’s true vulnerability. Patrick’s self-destructive tendencies and his difficult journey to recovery was a role that earned Cumberbatch almost universal acclaim and a BAFTA award for Best Actor (via BAFTA).

4

Alan Turing

The Imitation Game (2014)

Cumberbatch portrays real-life mathematician and cryptanalyst Alan Turing The imitation gameThis man is often credited with cracking the German Enigma code during World War II. The imitation game Of course, focuses on Turing’s exceptional intelligence and his ability to crack the code, but also does not shy away from exploring his personal life, especially his persecution by the British government for being gay. Cumberbatch’s portrayal of Turing is truly spellbinding, earning the actor his first Academy Award nomination.

Turing is realistically depicted as intellectually sharp and socially awkward, With a deep-seated vulnerability that only Cumberbatch could bring to the role. It’s a role that pays true homage to the brilliant mathematician while acting as a sensitive acknowledgment of the injustice Turing experienced at the hands of the government despite helping the Allies immensely in the war effort. The tension between genius and social isolation is also on full display here, with Cumberbatch providing an exceptional depiction of the personal pain behind Turing’s achievements.

3

Smaug

The Hobbit Trilogy (2012–2014)

Peter Jackson’s second take on JRR Tolkien’s Middle Earth came with the release of The Hobbit trilogy, and while there are many criticisms that could be leveled at the movies for stretching one book into three movies, Cumberbatch’s portrayal of the dragon, Smaug, is certainly not one of them. Smaug is a fearsome dragon who hoards the gold of Erebor, and terrorizes Bilbo (Martin Freeman) when he enters the Lonely Mountain to try to find the Arkenstone. Smaug is one of the most formidable villains of the last 20 years, and his villainy is a testament to Cumberbatch’s exceptional performance.

Smaug was not just a CGI villain, but was brought to life through motion capture and an incredible vocal performance from Cumberbatch. The layers of menace, arrogance and menace that Cumberbatch brings to this role are amazing, amplifying Smaug’s evil for all to see. Although Cumberbatch himself is never seen on screen, the scenes with Smaug, especially his conversation with Bilbo, are some of the trilogy’s greatest and most memorable moments.

2

Doctor Strange

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (2016–present)

Doctor Strange was first introduced to the MCU in the 2016 movie of the same name. Cumberbatch plays Stephen Strange, a brilliant but extremely arrogant neurosurgeon who loses the use of his hands after a horrific car crash. After embarking on a spiritual and magical journey to heal himself, Strange eventually becomes the Sorcerer Supreme, wielding great power over the mystical arts and even the time stone itself. Since Doctor Strange Is free, Strange has become a central anchoring figure in the MCU, especially in the fight against Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War And End game.

Cumberbatch was able to bring Strange’s character to life in the best wayIncorporating a razor-sharp wit with a true sense of spiritual wisdom in the mystical arcs. His journey from arrogant neurosurgeon to sorcerer supreme is one of the MCU’s finest character arcs, and wouldn’t have been possible without Cumberbatch’s exceptional gravitas. If the MCU’s future plans are anything to go by, there’s still more to come from Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange, meaning that audiences will be treated to seeing a lot more of the emotionally complex sorcerer.

1

Sherlock Holmes

Sherlock (2010-2017)

While the quality of the BBC drama, SherlockGradually declining after the second season was released, a constant factor of greatness that kept the audience tuning in was Cumberbatch’s performance as the titular detective. As Sherlock Holmes, Cumberbatch was launched to international stardom, and was able to really capture the sense of intellectual genius, but cold detachment, that defines the character. Cumberbatch’s depiction of Sherlock is probably the most iconic in history, because the actor manages to make the detective incredibly likable, while maintaining a constant sense of alienation.

Through his adventures with John Watson (Martin Freeman), Sherlock is able to become a pop culture phenomenon in his own right, largely thanks to the incredible acting of Cumberbatch. Sherlock’s ability to deliver fast-paced dialogue and navigate intricate mysteries is crafted in a way that doesn’t talk down to audiences, but also leaves them constantly in awe of the detective’s genius and petty arrogance. Cumberbatch as Sherlock is the definitive modern adaptation of the iconic detective, and remains his greatest and most iconic role.

Sources: IMDb, BAFTA.