Benedict Cumberbatch has become one of the most recognizable British actors of recent times thanks to his roles in various mainstream films and television shows. From serious dramas to comedies aimed at kids, Cumberbatch has clearly demonstrated his incredible versatility in adapting to any role he takes on. is an actor with a rare ability to effortlessly maintain a larger-than-life stage presence it still allows for great levels of emotional depth and nuance.
This article celebrates some of Cumberbatch's best characters in both film and television. Whether he's portraying the world's most famous detective, a fire-breathing dragon, or an emotionally complex rancher, these are the characters that cement Cumberbatch as one of the most respected actors in Hollywood today. These roles have earned him a devoted global fan following and countless critical acclaims, including a Primetime Emmy Award and two Academy Award nominations (via IMDb).
8 Phil Burbank
Power of the Dog (2021)
Cumberbatch stars in Jane Campion The Power of the Dog As Phil Burbank, a wealthy rancher in Montana in 1925. Phil is a gruff, unhappy man who trusts no one, especially local widow Rose Gordon (Kirsten Dunst). Phil even goes so far as to humiliate Rose's son Peter (Cody Smith-McPhee), highlighting the rancher's indiscriminate cruelty. The Power of the Dog A slow-burner, Phil is a psychological drama at its core.
Phil Burbank, the role that earned Cumberbatch his second Academy Award nomination, is more than just a grumpy old man, but an emotionally complex character. Cumberbatch deftly tackles the tension of Phil's rough and tough exterior with his hidden insecurities and inner torture, regaining his ability to dive into the toughest roles in the film world. Phil's complexity as a character, combined with Cumberbatch's portrayal, easily earns him a spot on this list.
7 Agent Classification
Penguins of Madagascar (2014)
Cumberbatch lends his voice to the extremely serious monster leader of the spy organization North Wind in 2014's Agent Classified. Penguins of Madagascar. The Classy is designed as a character to be cool, authoritative and constantly serious, meaning much of his comedic value comes from his interactions with the leech of the titular penguins. Cumberbatch also brings his own accent to the role, adding more layers of humor to an already funny film.
The role showcases not only his ability to be influential as an actor, but also Cumberbatch's evil charm and ability to play other characters.
Even in an animated role, Cumberbatch's voice work manages to stand out with incredible comedic timing and the stoic nature that characterizes Classified. The role showcases not only his ability to be influential as an actor, but also Cumberbatch's evil charm and ability to play other characters. The classification is mild, dangerous and serious and brings a lot Penguins of Madagascarboth in terms of plot and humor.
6 William Ford
12 Years a Slave (2013)
In a heart-rending 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 makes him morally compromised in the eyes of the audience, making him one of the most complex characters Cumberbatch has ever portrayed. Although Ford saves Solomon (Chiwetel Ejiofor) from being lynched, it's still impossible for the audience to actually like the character.
As Ford, Cumberbatch was able to bring his acting weight to the supporting role. 12 years a slave. The highlight of the film is, of course, Ejiofor's performance, but Cumberbatch manages to bring an unsettling humanity to the film that catalyzes the storyline and makes Solomon all the more heartwarming when he sells out to the more brutal Edwin Epps (Michael Fassbender). ). Ford is an incredible character who demonstrates the horrors of complicity in the face of injustice, and Cumberbatch was able to capture the moral cowardice of the plantation owner.
5 Patrick Melrose
Patrick Melrose (2018)
2018 miniseries based on the semi-autobiographical novels by Edward St. Aubin Patrick Melrose It sees Cumberbatch take on the role of the title character. Patrick is a wealthy Englishman, the show follows the eponymous character through the various stages of his complicated and fractured life. From the trauma of his abusive father and neglectful mother to his struggles 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, requiring the actor to bring a wide range of emotional complexity to the role. Cumberbatch captures the true essence of dark humor in certain scenes 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 near-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 Gamethe man is often credited with cracking the German enigma code during World War II. The Imitation Game certainly focuses on Turing's exceptional intelligence and code-breaking ability, but doesn't shy away from exploring his personal life, particularly his persecution by the British government for being gay. Cumberbatch's portrayal of Turing is truly admirable and earned the actor his first Academy Award nomination.
It's a role that pays real respect to the brilliant mathematician, as it plays a poignant acknowledgment of the injustice Turing suffered at the hands of the government, despite greatly aiding the Allies in the war effort.
Turing is realistically portrayed as intellectually sharp and socially awkward. with a deep vulnerability that only Cumberbatch could bring to the role. It's a role that pays real respect to the brilliant mathematician, as it plays a poignant acknowledgment of the injustice Turing suffered at the hands of the government, despite greatly aiding the Allies in the war effort. The tension between genius and social isolation is on full display here as well, with Cumberbatch delivering an exceptional portrayal of the personal pain behind Turing's achievements.
3 Smaug
The Hobbit Trilogy (2012-2014)
Peter Jackson's second shot came with the release of JRR Tolkien's Middle Earth The Hobbit trilogy and while there are many criticisms that can be leveled at the movies for splitting 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 scares Bilbo (Martin Freeman) when he enters the Lonely Mountain to find the Arkendyash. Smaug is one of the most terrifying villains of the last 20 years, and his villainy is a testament to Cumberbatch's exceptional performance.
Smaug wasn't just a CGI villain, he was brought to life by Cumberbatch's motion capture and incredible vocal performance. The layers of menace, arrogance, and menace that Cumberbatch brings to the role are astounding and amplify Smaug's evil for all to see. Although Cumberbatch himself never appears on screen, the scenes with Smaug, especially his conversation with Bilbo, are among the most spectacular and memorable moments of the trilogy.
2 Doctor Strange
Marvel Cinematic Universe (2016–Present)
Doctor Strange was first introduced to the MCU in the 2016 film of the same name. Cumberbatch plays Stephen Strange, a brilliant but completely arrogant neurosurgeon who loses his hands after a horrific car accident. After embarking on a spiritual and magical journey to heal himself, Strange eventually becomes the Sorcerer Supreme and wields great power over the mystical arts and even the Time Stone itself. since Doctor Strange Since his release, Strange has become a central anchor in the MCU, particularly in the fight against Thanos. Avengers: Infinity War and End of the game.
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Cumberbatch can portray the character of Strange in the best waymystical arcs include a razor-sharp intelligence with a sense of true spiritual wisdom. His journey from arrogant neurosurgeon to Sorcerer Supreme is one of the MCU's best character arcs, and wouldn't have been possible without Cumberbatch's exceptional gravitas. If the MCU's future planning is anything to go by, there's still plenty more to come from Cumberbatch's Doctor Strange, meaning audiences will be seeing more of the emotionally complex wizard.
1 Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock (2010-2017)
Despite the quality of the BBC drama, Sherlockgradually waned after the second season aired, with Cumberbatch's performance as the titular detective the constant factor of greatness that kept viewers tuning in. As Sherlock Holmes, Cumberbatch rose to international fame and truly captured the intellectual genius yet cold attitude that defined the character. Cumberbatch's portrayal of Sherlock is probably the most iconic portrayal in history, as the actor manages to make the detective incredibly likable while maintaining a constant sense of alienation.
Cumberbatch as Sherlock is the definitive modern adaptation of the iconic detective and remains his greatest and most iconic role.
Through his adventures with John Watson (Martin Freeman), Sherlock was able to become a pop culture phenomenon in his own right, thanks in large part to Cumberbatch's incredible acting. Sherlock's ability to deliver snappy dialogue and navigate complex mysteries is crafted in a way that doesn't let the audience down, but constantly leaves them in awe of the detective's genius and little conceits. Cumberbatch as Sherlock is the definitive modern adaptation of the iconic detective and remains his greatest and most iconic role.
Sources: IMDb, BAFTA.