Benedict Cumberbatch

Benedict Cumberbatch was born in Hammersmith, London in 1976. After studying Drama at the University of Manchester,  he trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, graduating with an MA in Classical Acting.

His theatre career started in 2001, playing George Tesman in Hedda Gabler at the Almeida Theatre. This later transferred to the Duke’s of York’s Theatre in 2005, with Cumberbatch reprising the role. In 2010, Cumberbatch starred in Terence Rattigan’s revival of After the Dance at the National Theatre. He also acted in Danny Boyle’s charity theatre event The Children’s Monologues at the Old Vic Theatre.

During his performance in Frankenstein at the National Theatre, he played both Victor Frankenstein and his creature on alternate nights opposite Jonny Lee Miller, which was later broadcast in cinemas as part of National Theatre Live. For this role, he received the Olivier Award for Best Actor. Read a Frankenstein review starring Benedict Cumberbatch here.

Outside the theatre, he is well known for his title role in Sherlock alongside Martin Freeman and Andrew Scott, created by Mark Gatiss. Cumberbatch has also performed a variety of roles in feature films such Atonement, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and War Horse. His most notable role was his portrayal of Alan Turing in the historical drama thriller The Imitation Game.

In 2015, he returned to the West End in Shakespeare’s *Hamlet* at the Barbican Theatre.