Ask the next 10 people you meet—or interact with on Facebook or Tumblr—if they’ve heard of Benedict Cumberbatch, and you’re likely to get at least a few affirmative answers. The actor’s popularity has been building steadily since he started playing Sherlock Holmes in the BBC’s update of the series, and his brilliant turn as the villain in Star Trek: Into Darkness may be the role that finally makes him a household name. (Not an easily pronounceable one, admittedly, but a household name nonetheless.)
But ask people if they’ve heard of Cabin Pressure, and you’ll get more than a few blank looks. However, if you have a Cabin Pressure fan in your circle of friends, trust me, you will be assimilated…The show is sweet and funny and thoroughly addictive. And more than that, I think it helps explain what makes Cumberbatch such a rare and compelling actor.
It turns out the man who’s rapidly becoming known for playing cold, calculating geniuses has a completely different side. Once you hear him play Cabin Pressure’s Martin Crieff, the almost pathologically insecure captain of a decrepit charter plane, you’ll never look at him the same way again—and that’s a good thing. It shows just what a well-rounded, versatile actor Cumberbatch truly is, and it reminds the rest of us just what an important quality versatility is.
In fact, a lifelong obsession with classic movies has convinced me that versatility is one of the best tools an actor can have…But this kind of versatility, it seems to me, is becoming rarer among actors these days. The British, to their credit, still seem to encourage it, but Hollywood, not as much. I’m not sure we even understand anymore what genuine versatility looks like…Maybe having a strong sense of who you are makes you more comfortable in a wide variety of circumstances and genres. And that in turn gives you even greater confidence and security as an actor.
Does the same hold true for Benedict Cumberbatch? It’s a little early in his career to say for sure. And it’s true that the hilariously awkward Captain Martin Crieff and the ruthless “John Harrison” (I’ll use the alias for the sake of those who haven’t yet seen the new Star Trek) have little in common. Or is it? Mannerisms and motives—and willingness to wipe out human life on a massive scale—aside, they’re both passionate, driven, eccentric loners who are nevertheless deeply committed to the relationships they do have. As is Cumberbatch’s Sherlock.
We may have found a pattern here, after all. It looks as if, deep down, there’s something much more substantial and consistent to Cumberbatch’s persona than an ability to jump down from great heights wearing a long coat.
Also, the fact that he’s stuck with Cabin Pressure throughout its run, even while he was busy shooting to stardom on TV and in film, says something about Cumberbatch’s dedication to his craft. Drama is impressive, but comedy, as Cary Grant firmly believed, really proves an actor’s mettle. Many of the qualities Cumberbatch shows in Star Trek: Into Darkness—the excellent timing, the physicality, the veering between superhuman restraint and uncontrollable emotion—are qualities that may be best developed by sweating to get a laugh out of an audience.
There’s no doubt that if you saw that simultaneously icy and ferocious performance of Cumberbatch’s on the big screen this past weekend, you saw something special. But if you haven’t yet heard him desperately hunting up and down a cabin full of passengers for an elusive lemon, or being tricked into delivering a cabin address in the world’s worst French accent, or saying things like “I carried the sheep for you. I climbed the tree. I rode the back of the truck. But now I have to X-ray these geese” … you’re missing out.
-The Atlantic [x]
I am mainly reblogging this because CABIN PRESSURE. If you have NOT listened to Cabin Pressure, then you really, really should.
I, err, possibly listen to it most days. My commute is about an episode long. I think that the last series that aired was perhaps the best-crafted thing ever. I have a crush on John Finnemore that has gone beyond epic, and into that “writes crap on eyelids, bats eyes at Indiana Jones” stage. It’s just so ridiculously funny and heartwarming and just…
HOW, FINNEMORE??? HOW DO THE WORDS COME FROM YOU LIKE THAT???
Ahem.
Upshot is: Cabin Pressure. If for nothing else, do it for the fantastic Stephanie Cole. The things’s just brilliant.
I feel like I just did this
reblog this post if you post the following so I can check out your blog :)
- supernatural
- doctor who
- sherlock
- star trek
- tom hiddleston/benedict cumberbatch
- merlin
- the big bang theory
- tolkien/lotr
- marvel
yay :)
Please like or reblog if you blog Sherlock/Benedict Cumberbatch! I am obsessed right now and need some more to follow.
Thanks! :)LOTS of Mr Beautifulbatch here (and I always follow back x)
mrs-freebatchof221bbakerstreet:
I made this for no particular reason
MY MOMENT TO SHINE
OMFG IM SCREAMING
BENNY C LAUGHING ALONE WITH WATER
At least he’s not on the water
This is why we can’t have nice things!
Okay, back to it. Writing for a little while, then Bedfordshire.
Nernight, Tumblrpeeps.
Breathe along with Benedict (Sherlock)… innn… ooouuutt… innn… ouuttt… innnnn….zzzzzzzz…..
who does not like the term ‘Cumberbitches’
Please reblog if you’re a “CumberCollective’ out of respect for this wonderful man
He said “Cumbercollective” again on the daily show this morning.
I can take a hint, darling.I think the Cumbercollective is really gonna stick now! ^^
I want “Proud Member of the Cumber Collective” on a T-shirt. Who’s with me?
Oh, the shirt exists. And it’s fantastic. Click this to see!
And make sure to check out the rest of the store. A girl tee and I think stickers are also available. :)
The link up there doesn’t lead to a valid url (‘url no longer exists’) but I looked it up on RedBubble for your happy convenience.
Benedict Cumberbatch at the “Late Show With David Letterman” taping at the Ed Sullivan Theater on May 9, 2013 in NYC.
Those fucking shoes are swag, i will not shut up about them. I’m sorry, but THIS LOOK IS ON POINT.
I keep seeing him in shoes I’d either love to have or have had (or have had similar) and OMG it makes me squee.
What are you doing with your hands Benedict
Children are watching this showThose hands… O_O
Those hands, that voice, that man, that suit… clearly the material feels quite nice to the touch. I’d love to verify that…
are you fucking kidding me
I think he had Moriarty turn Edward into shoes
he had Moriarty turn Edward into shoes
1. THAT COMMENT!
2. THAT SUIT!
(I’ve always had a weakness for velvet suits, especially black and midnight blue ones. This is too perfect.)
All of the above - particularly Moriarty turning Edward into shoes. I salute you clever barstards!
LITTLE FAVOUR is an action packed short thriller starring Benedict Cumberbatch (Star Trek Into The Darkness, Sherlock) and Nick Moran (Lock Stock, Harry Potter, Mr Selfridge).
Written and Directed by Patrick Victor Monroe, a very talented and inspiring first time Director and Produced by Adam Ackland and Ben Dillon of SunnyMarch.
Adam and Ben will be working together on LITTLE FAVOUR which is their first collaboration since their Production Company SunnyMarch was formed in 2012.
They are currently bringing together some of the most talented Cast and Crew from the British Film Industry and are very pleased to announce that already on board is KICK ASS (1 and 2) Production Designer Russell De Rozario.
LITTLE FAVOUR follows the story of WALLACE (Benedict Cumberbatch) when he is contacted by a former colleague to help him out with a deal gone wrong.
“Its been 7 years since he left Her Majesty’s service and 10 years since the American Counter part who became his friend, saved his life on a joint mission in Iraq. He’s migrated his skill set into a lucrative business while managing to keep his secret battle with PTSD under wraps. One day, while finally deciding to try his hand at a functional relationship, his old friend JAMES cashes in his chip and asks a LITTLE FAVOUR. How could he refuse when he owes the man his life?
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This is an incredibly exciting project but we have a very short time to make this happen, if you can’t donate then please help by spreading the word via Twitter and Facebook and use the SHARE THE CAMPAIGN button.
Thanks for all your support!!!
Adam Ackland - Ben Dillon
