Benedict Cumberbatch’s 5 Best Performances

His accolades include 1 Oscar nomination, 3 Golden Globe nominations plus 1 BAFTA win out of 8 nominations

In the late noughties, Benedict Cumberbatch quickly earned himself recognition as one of the most talented actors of our generation. From playing a magical superhero to portrayals of historical characters, he’s a shoe in to win an Oscar soon.

So, which roles are his best? We’ve been through his long list of credits and have noted down what we believe to be his best.

5. Dr Stephen Strange in Doctor Strange (2016)

I think we all seen this one coming before the casting was even announced. Cumberbatch stars as Doctor Stephen Strange, an arrogant neurosurgeon whose hands are mangled in an unfortunate car accident. Directed by Scott Derrickson, we follow Strange as he searches for a way to fix his hands, leading him into the world of sorcery.

The Brit was a very on the nose choice for the role. But, he makes his casting all the more enjoyable as he gives us a different side to the “narcissist turned superhero” character development. This trope was introduced to the MCU by Robert Downey Jr. in Iron Man.

Cumberbatch was actually always the first choice for the role. However, initially he had to decline due to scheduling conflicts with his theatre work in Hamlet. However, when the release date was pushed back, this freed up time for the actor to play the role. Joaquin Phoenix was Marvel Studios’ second choice for Strange.

4. Khan in Star Trek Into Darkness (2013)

Not the best of Star Trek films and met with a bit of backlash, but you can’t fault the actor’s first turn as a big bad of a franchise. Marketed as a new character named John Harrison, Cumberbatch turns out to actually be playing a new iteration of classic Star Trek villain Khan.

His voice, iconic lines and overall portrayal of the sadistic bad guy was applaudable, making him the best part of the film to be frank.

The actor actually recorded his screen test for this role in his best friends kitchen on his iPhone. Anyone else imagining him saying “Khan to the Enterprise” into a potato peeler?

3. Patrick Watts in Starter for 10 (2006)

Probably one of his lesser known roles, but definitely one that you need to catch when you get chance. The now-Hollywood star was on the up at this point in his career, as he portrayed Patrick – a snobbish Bristol University post-grad and the fictional captain of the university’s University Challenge team in the film’s setting of 1985.

Not only does the highly-strung snob prove to be an annoying authoritative figure for the film’s lead actor, a young James McAvoy, but he also makes for some hysterical moments and a way to shoe horn in discussions of the troubles during this era.

Cumberbatch and McAvoy would work together again just a year later in Atonement.

Related Article: Will Smith’s 5 Best Performances

2. Alan Turing in The Imitation Game (2014)

A role that won this actor a lot of praise, and even earned him a nomination for Best Actor at the 87th Academy Awards. Cumberbatch portrays British mathematician Alan Turing, the man responsible for decoding the Enigma machine used by the Nazis to communicate.

Cumberbatch’s alienated performance and perception of Turing’s personal life was globally favoured and is still noted as one of his best portrayals.

Interestingly enough, Cumberbatch and Turing are distantly related. the pair are 17th cousins, with family relations dating all the way back to the 14th century.

1. Sherlock Holmes in Sherlock (2010-2017)

In our top spot is modern take on a literature favourite. Cumberbatch portrays a version of Sherlock Holmes that springs him into the 21st century, and fits the character nicely in to modern day London.

This is arguably the role that the British actor on the map and gave him the career he has today. His incredible delivery of dialogue, dark undertone to the portrayal, chemistry with co-star Martin Freeman and also ability to sow in comedy is exquisite. Definitely a role Cumberbatch was born to play.

Another family coincidence, Cumberbatch is actually 16th cousins with Sherlock Holmes author, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. They are related through their common ancestor John of Gaunt. This is all too much of a coincidence. Is Cumberbatch using his family connections for these roles?

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What are your thoughts on our top 5 performances for Mr Cumberbatch? Think other roles deserve a spot? Let us know in the comment section below!