Natasha Hervatta
Benedict Cumberbatch turns 38 this 19th July! Let's have a look at some of his best roles (the list is pretty long) to celebrate this marvellous actor...
From Sherlock
Cumberbatch shot to fame with this modern-day adaptation of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson's adventures. He became a household name, a cult figure and the inspiration of many-a-fanfiction-and-fanart!
Cumberbatch reprises the role of the classic villain Khan in this Star Trek movie. Trekkies and the Cumbercollective all over the world rejoiced on finding out that John Harrison was indeed, the baddie Khan!
From The Hobbit : The Desolation of Smaug
Described as "a most specially greedy, strong and wicked worm", Cumberbatch brings this terrible dragon to life providing voice and motion-capture (do not forget the motion capture)! One of his most thrilling performances.
From Little Favour (short film)
Little Favour follows the story of Wallace when he is contacted by a former colleague to help him out with a deal gone wrong. Battling with PTSD, Wallace has managed to migrate his skill set to a lucrative business when one day he decides to help out his friend James. How we loved seeing Cumberbatch as this quintessential action hero!
He plays sweet and uncomplicated Little Charles in this volatile family drama. Among stars like Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Ewan McGregor, Cumberbatch stills shines in his role and brings across a character that you just can't help adore. Especially when he plays the piano and sings!
From The Fifth Estate
Cumberbatch played Julian Assange, the owner of Wikileaks, in this biopic. In a world where information and security are highly dubious concepts, he plays a whistleblower who only wants to bring out the truth.
From 12 Years A Slave
In this tale of Solomon Northup, a free man who was taken as a slave against his will, Cumberbatch plays the role of Ford - a sympathetic plantation-owner and Solomon's first "owner". While troubled by the hardships faced by his slaves, he succumbs to them only under the weight of his own debts.
From Parade's End
Tom Stoppard adapts the classic novel by Ford Madox Ford into this 6 part series which revolves around a love triangle between a conservative English aristocrat, his mean socialite wife and a young suffragette. Tietjens, a man of principles, struggles with the hardships of his life and puts aside his own happiness more often than not. Cumberbatch considers this character as one of his favourites.
From Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
A brilliant movie starring Gary Oldman, John Hurt, Colin Firth, Tom Hardy and Cumberbatch - it is the story of espionage veteran George Smiley is forced from semi-retirement to uncover a Soviet agent within MI6. Peter Guillam, played by Cumberbatch, assists Smiley in his quest. If you haven't seen this film yet, you must right now!
In this play by Danny Boyle, Cumberbatch and Johnny Lee Miller played the roles of Frankenstein and his creature alternately. However, Cumberbatch as Frankenstein's creature was a sight to behold. He proves his immense acting capabilities and holds the ability to use his body in his acting to portray such a strong character. One of this best performances to date.
From War Horse
Steven Speilberg directs this film - the story of a young boy, who enlists to serve in World War I after his beloved horse is sold to the cavalry. Albert's hopeful journey takes him out of England and to the front lines as the war rages on. Cumberbatch stars alongside Tom Hiddleston (I can vouch for fangirls everywhere that this was a dream come true) in this film.
From van Gogh : Painted with Words
A BBC drama on the life of the painter, Vincent van Gogh. Cumberbatch manages to convey the pain and suffering in van Gogh's life and also his appreciation for beauty in life and nature around him.
From Hawking
A drama documenting the life and work of the theoretical physicist Professor Stephen Hawking who, despite being diagnosed with motor neurone disease at the age of 21, has galvanized the scientific world with his ground-breaking work on the nature of the universe. Cumberbatch does utter justice to bring across the persona of this great mind of our generation.
From Third Star
A tale of life and death, and above all frienship. Four friends undertake a trip on James' request, who is dying of cancer. Cumberbatch portrays emotional depth and showcases the beautiful friendship between these four men.
From Starter For 10
Cumberbatch plays the geeky scholar, Patrick Watts, in this comedy film starring James McAvoy, Mark Gatiss, Alice Eve, Rebecca Hall and more! A role very unlike his others, but lovable just the same.
From The Imitation Game
I'll be flying back and forth between one mutually exclusive thing and another for the rest of my days. (The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath)
