Actor Benedict Cumberbatch has described how he “let my own emotions come through” while filming his latest movie, which explores male grief. The Sherlock star appears in The Thing With Feathers, portraying a father raising his two sons alone following the sudden death of his wife.
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Appearing on ITV’s Lorraine on Friday, Cumberbatch was asked by presenter Tyler West how he prepared for the role. He explained: “It’s a very honest place where I let my own emotions come through, more perhaps than any other. It was less imagining, though there were circumstances in the film that aren’t mine. It was that sort of rawness of existing in that place of loss, of feeling what that is like.” The film, which is released in cinemas from Friday, is adapted from Max Porter’s novel Grief Is The Thing With Feathers.
Cumberbatch added that it was important to him to convey that “it’s alright to feel feelings that are utterly overwhelming, to feel that you are not in control, and that things are unmanageable or chaotic. That was part of the reason I really wanted to champion this extraordinary film adaptation of an extraordinary novel.” The production also features a number of crows, which the actor had to work closely with. “There was a moment when a crow had to hop on me, and that was quite nerve-wracking,” he said. “They’re extraordinary, magical birds and very, very intelligent.”
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The Bafta-winning actor, who has three sons with his wife, theatre director Sophie Hunter, was also asked about everyday frustrations. “Loud voices – four in particular – as in my immediate family. You know, three boys and Sophie. I tend to tip quite easily. I usually stay calm, and then it’s like ‘will you put that sock on?’ It’s one thing that drives me over the edge,” he admitted. When asked whether he would ever appear on Strictly Come Dancing, Cumberbatch replied: “No. I’ll be honest, I would love some private dance lessons, but I would not go anywhere near that.”
