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 evidently 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 TV. Whether he’s portraying the most famous detective in the world, 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 devoted global fanbase and innumerable levels of critical acclaim, including a Primetime Emmy Award and nominations for two Academy Awards (via IMDb).

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An overlooked performance by Benedict Cumberbatch proves that Doctor Strange 3 needs to take full advantage of Stephen Strange’s traumatic past.

8 Phil Burbank

The Power Of The Dog (2021)

Cumberbatch stars in Jane Campion’s The Power of the Dog as Phil Burbank, a wealthy ranch owner in 1925 Montana. Phil is a gruff, unhappy man who doesn’t trust anyone, especially local widowed woman Rose Gordon (Kirsten Dunst). Phil even goes so far as to belittle Rose’s son, Peter (Kodi Smit-McPhee), highlighting the ranch owner’s indiscriminate cruelty. The Power of the Dog is a slow-burn, psychological drama, with Phil at it’s core.

Related The Power Of The Dog Title Meaning & Final Bible Verse Explained

The title of Benedict Cumberbatch’s new western, Netflix’s “The Power of the Dog,” has a deep meaning rooted in the Bible’s book of Psalms.

The role that earned Cumberbatch his second Academy Award nomination, Phil Burbank, is far more than just an angry old man, but an emotionally complex character. Cumberbatch masterfully grapples with the tension of Phil’s rough and rugged 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, coupled with Cumberbatch’s portrayal, easily earns himself a spot on this list.

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The Power of the Dog is a Western drama film adapted from the novel by Thomas Savage. When a widow and her son move into a ranch, she captures the attention of a kindly gentleman named George, much to the chagrin of his brother, Phil. After they marry, Phil’s temper begins to flare, and he begins to torment the two – but his behavior may spell disaster when his new nephew’s darker side comes to light.

Director Jane Campion Release Date November 17, 2021 Studio(s) Netflix Distributor(s) Netflix Writers Jane Campion Cast Frances Conroy , Jesse Plemons , Kirsten Dunst , Thomasin McKenzie , Peter Carroll , Adam Beach , Kodi Smit-McPhee , Keith Carradine , Benedict Cumberbatch Runtime 126 minutes Expand

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’s Penguins of Madagascar. Classified was 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 further layers of humor to an already hilarious movie.

The role showcases not only his ability to be authoritative as an actor, but also Cumberbatch’s wicked charm and the ability to play off other characters.

Even in an animated role, Cumberbatch’s voice work is able to stand out for its incredible comedic 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 the ability to play off other characters. Classified is suave, dangerous, and serious, and brings a lot to Penguins of Madagascar, in terms of plot as well as jokes.

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Penguins of Madagascar is a DreamWorks animated film that follows Skipper, Kowalski, Rico, and Private as they team up with a spy organization called the North Wind to stop an evil octopus named Dave from taking over the world. It features the voice talents of Tom McGrath, Chris Miller, Christopher Knights, and Conrad Vernon in the lead roles with Benedict Cumberbatch, John Malkovich, Ken Jeong, Peter Stormare, and Annet Mahendru in supporting roles.

Director Eric Darnell Release Date November 27, 2014 Studio(s) 20th Century Distributor(s) 20th Century Writers Eric Darnell Cast John Malkovich , Benedict Cumberbatch , Danny Jacobs , Chris Miller Runtime 92minutes Expand

6 William Ford

12 Years A Slave (2013)

In the gut-wrenching historical drama 12 Years a Slave, Cumberbatch 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. Even though Ford saves Solomon (Chiwetel Ejiofor) from being lynched, it is still impossible for viewers to truly take a liking to the 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 unsettling sense of humanity to the movie that catalyzes the storyline and makes it more heartbreaking when Solomon is sold to the far more cruel Edwin Epps (Michael Fassbender). Ford is an incredible character, demonstrating the horrors of complicity in the face of injustice, and Cumberbatch was able to capture the moral cowardice of the plantation owner.

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Directed by Steve McQueen and based on the 1853 memoir by Solomon Northup, 12 Years a Slave tells the story of Northrup, a free black man from New York who, in 1841, is captured and sold into slavery in the south. Separated from his family, and forced to endure intense brutality at the hands of his new masters, Northrup works tirelessly to stay alive and regain his freedom. The film stars Chiwetel Ejiofor as Northrup, with a cast that includes Lupita Nyong’0, Michael Fassbender, Paul Dano, and Benedict Cumberbatch.

Director Steve McQueen Release Date January 9, 2014 Studio(s) Searchlight Pictures Distributor(s) Summit Entertainment , Searchlight Pictures Writers Steve McQueen , John Ridley Cast Chiwetel Ejiofor , Michael Fassbender , Brad Pitt , Lupita Nyong’o , Benedict Cumberbatch Runtime 134minutes Expand

5 Patrick Melrose

Patrick Melrose (2018)

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

Patrick Melrose is likely one of the most demanding roles of Cumberbatch’s entire career, with the actor being required to bring a wide breadth of emotional complexity to the role. Cumberbatch captures the true essence of dark humor in certain scenes, with the delivery of this humor being 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).

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Patrick Melrose is a miniseries based on the novels by Edward St Aubyn. Starring Benedict Cumberbatch in the titular role, the series chronicles the life of Patrick Melrose, a troubled man grappling with the traumas of his dysfunctional upbringing and substance abuse. The narrative traverses different periods in his life, exploring themes of addiction, forgiveness, and the long-lasting impact of childhood experiences.

Release Date June 9, 2018 Cast Benedict Cumberbatch , Jennifer Jason Leigh , Hugo Weaving , Sebastian Maltz , Jessica Raine , Prasanna Puwanarajah , Pip Torrens , Indira Varma Seasons 1 Main Genre Drama

4 Alan Turing

The Imitation Game (2014)

Cumberbatch portrays real-life mathematician and cryptanalyst Alan Turing in The Imitation Game, the man often credited with cracking the German enigma code during the Second World War. The Imitation Game of course, focuses on Turing’s exceptional intellect and his ability to crack the code, but does also not shy away from exploring his personal life, particularly his persecution by the British government for being gay. Cumberbatch’s portrayal of Turing is truly spellbinding, and earned the actor his first Academy Award nomination.

It’s a role that pays true homage to the brilliant mathematician while acting as a sensitive acknowledgment of the injustice that Turing experienced at the hands of the government despite helping the Allies immensely in the war effort.

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 that 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.

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The Imitation Game stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Alan Turing, the real-life British mathematician and computer scientist who was instrumental in decoding the German spy code machine Enigma during WWII. The film focuses on Turing’s work during the war and his personal life during that time, as well as the tragic story of his life after the war and his death in 1954. Keira Knightley, Matthew Goode, Charles Dance, and Mark Strong also star. 

Director Morten Tyldum Release Date November 28, 2014 Studio(s) The Weinstein Company Distributor(s) The Weinstein Company Writers Graham Moore Cast Mark Strong , Matthew Goode , Keira Knightley , Benedict Cumberbatch Runtime 114minutes Expand

3 Smaug

The Hobbit Trilogy (2012–2014)

Peter Jackson’s second take on J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle Earth came with the release of The Hobbit trilogy, and while there are numerous criticisms that may 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 and find the Arkenstone. Smaug is one of the most formidable villains of the last 20 years, and his villainy is a testament to the exceptional performance of Cumberbatch.

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

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The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, directed by Peter Jackson, continues the journey of Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) alongside Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage) and his company of dwarves. As they travel to reclaim Erebor from the dragon Smaug (voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch), they encounter new allies and dangers.

Director Peter Jackson Release Date December 13, 2013 Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Writers Fran Walsh , Philippa Boyens , Peter Jackson , Guillermo del Toro , J.R.R. Tolkien Cast Martin Freeman , Ian McKellen , Richard Armitage , Benedict Cumberbatch , Evangeline Lilly , Lee Pace , Luke Evans , Ken Stott , James Nesbitt , Orlando Bloom Runtime 161 Minutes Main Genre Adventure Expand

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 yet completely arrogant neurosurgeon who loses the use of his hands following a horrific car crash. After embarking on a spiritual and magical journey to heal himself, Strange eventually becomes the Sorcerer Supreme, and wields great power over the mystic arts and even the Time Stone itself. Since Doctor Strange was released, Strange has become a central anchoring figure in the MCU, particularly in the fight against Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame.

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Related Will Doctor Strange Regain The Title Of Sorcerer Supreme In The MCU?

Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange is expected to return in the future of the MCU, but will he ever regain the title of Sorcerer Supreme?

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Cumberbatch is able to bring Strange’s character to life in the best way, incorporating a razor-sharp wit with a true sense of spiritual wisdom in the mystic arcs. His journey from arrogant neurosurgeon to Sorcerer Supreme is one of the MCU’s finest character arcs, and would not have been possible without Cumberbatch’s exceptional gravitas. If the MCU’s future planning is anything to go by, there is 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.

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Enter the world of Dr. Stephen Vincent Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), a world-famous neurosurgeon whose car accident left him unable to use his hands. As he desperately tries to find a cure to enable his hands to perform operations again, he comes across a world that leads to another dimension. After being taught about the different dimensions and learning about the constant threat that looms on Earth, he began to embrace his role as the humble protector. Taking after the responsibilities of the Ancient One who trained him before her demise, Strange goes on to become the Sorcerer Supreme himself.

Director Scott Derrickson Release Date October 25, 2016 Studio(s) Marvel Studios Distributor(s) Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Writers Steve Ditko , Stan Lee Cast Tilda Swinton , Benedict Wong , Michael Stuhlbarg , Mads Mikkelsen , Scott Adkins , Benedict Cumberbatch , Rachel McAdams , Chiwetel Ejiofor Runtime 126 minutes Main Genre Action Expand

1 Sherlock Holmes

Sherlock (2010–2017)

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While the quality of the BBC drama, Sherlock, gradually declined after the second season was released, a constant factor of greatness that kept audiences tuning in was Cumberbatch’s performance as the titular detective. As Sherlock Holmes, Cumberbatch was launched to international stardom, and was able to truly capture the sense of intellectual genius, yet cold detachment, that defines the character. Cumberbatch’s depiction of Sherlock is likely the most iconic 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, largely thanks to Cumberbatch’s incredible acting. Sherlock’s ability to deliver fast-paced dialogue and navigate intricate mysteries is crafted in a way that doesn’t speak down to audiences, but also leaves them constantly in awe of the detective’s genius and slight arrogance. Cumberbatch as Sherlock is the definitive modern adaptation of the iconic detective, and remains his greatest and most iconic role.

Sources: IMDb, BAFTA.

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In this incarnation of Sherlock from creators Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman assume the roles of Sherlock and Watson as they establish their partnership and begin solving strange mysteries throughout the U.K. and beyond. Set in a more 2010’s modern setting, Sherlock’s eccentric and complex nature is accentuated as he solves seemingly supernatural crimes with unparalleled intellect while struggling to connect with others on a human level. Meanwhile, Watson blogs the stories summarizing their cases while building a strained but caring friendship with his new partner.

Release Date August 8, 2010 Writers Steven Moffat , Steve Thompson , Mark Gatiss Cast Martin Freeman , Benedict Cumberbatch , Rupert Graves Seasons 4 Directors Steven Moffat Showrunner Steven Moffat Expand

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