Benedict Cumberbatch: The Imitation Game Role That Earned Him Oscar Nominations
Acclaimed actor Benedict Cumberbatch rose to global fame with his roles in the BBC series Sherlock and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but it was his portrayal of Alan Turing in The Imitation Game that earned him his first Oscar nomination for Best Actor.
The biographical film, directed by Morten Tyldum, tells the story of Turing, a real-life mathematician who worked to crack the German Enigma code during World War II, only to face extreme discrimination due to his sexuality. Cumberbatch received widespread critical acclaim for his performance, which earned him his first Best Actor nomination at the Academy Awards.
In a recent interview with Variety, Cumberbatch spoke about his connection to the character, stating that he felt a “deep, deep, deep kind of connection” with Turing and the struggles he faced. Cumberbatch attributed his performance to a sense of understanding and empathy, rather than acting.
“I think that’s just witnessing something and feeling it historically as the abomination that it was, his chemical castration because of his sexuality,” he said. “And if you just leave it alone and don’t think, ‘how does this story get most effectively told at this point,’ something just happens. I think that’s true of a lot of art, a lot of sport, a lot of anything where we’re just doing it and it’s coming through us.”
Cumberbatch’s performance in The Imitation Game was met with praise from critics and audiences alike, solidifying his reputation as a talented and nuanced actor. Although he has only received two Oscar nominations for Best Actor, he remains one of the most highly acclaimed and in-demand actors in the industry.
