Benedict Cumberbatch is a posh, substance-abusing jackass in the ‘Melrose’ trailer

Benedict Cumberbatch filming in Glasgow, Scotland

Last fall, we got tons of photos from the Scottish set of Melrose, the Sky/Showtime miniseries starring Benedict Cumberbatch. Bendy stars in the lead role, and he produced the miniseries as well. The series is based on the books of Edward St. Aubyn, all about a rich, posh, substance abuser named Patrick Melrose. Each episode of the miniseries will be a “day in the life” of Melrose over the course of several decades. The trailer was just released this week. Here you go:

Question: is it “good acting” if I cringe at how poshly drunk he sounds at the beginning? Clearly, the character is high and drunk, but is Benedict playing that the right way? Is my discomfort – as a viewer – because he’s acting it so well, or because he’s doing a bad job? I can’t tell. I still feel like this is the kind of part that Benedict plays so well, and should do more of: posh bastards, rich a–holes, substance-abusing jackasses. Bendy is, at heart, a really good character actor. Anyway, while I remain unconvinced, I’ll still probably watch this, I guess.

Bendy Cumberpatch!!!!!

Melrose Film Set Glasgow City Centre

Photos courtesy of WENN.

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13 Responses to “Benedict Cumberbatch is a posh, substance-abusing jackass in the ‘Melrose’ trailer”

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  1. Sansa says:

    He’s nothing like the guy in the clip, imho

  2. lightpurple says:

    Hugo Weaving and Jennifer Jason Leigh. And IMDB says Indira Varma is in this too. Bendy is always playing the same part to me and he’s overplaying that first bit.

  3. Tanya says:

    I’m watching and still adore him. I want him to leave this kind of character behind for a long while to truly see his acting girth. I believe he has it. But, he typecasts himself. I don’t want him to be the “go-to” guy for such characters.

  4. Sabine says:

    All I see is Benedict Cumberbatch acting. I recommend reading the books.

  5. Carrie says:

    Would have to see it. This is not something that lends itself to a trailer at all tbh (slice of life character studies usually don’t).

    IA with Tanya above. Wonder what he will do once his prod co. is off the ground enough to afford real choice.

  6. Jane says:

    What clip? I get the message: The video contains content fro CBS CID who has blocked it on copyright grounds.

  7. Lynn says:

    I saw it elsewhere and my interest in it just tripled. I did read the series, and I was concerned they’d chicken out: the characters did need to be altered to a degree for a TV format and the tone should have humor behind it, but that’s quirky with the subject matter. Looks like they nailed both so I’ll be watching this.

    I’m not a drug expert but Bendy was aces in the opener! He’s not just drunk. he’s on speed.

  8. SJhere says:

    I don’t see anything. It’s blocked for copyright. Disappointed, me.

    I like BC, I do think he has talent but the story/films he picks do not really interest me.
    IMO, Sherlock! Season One was outstanding and went downhill quickly.

    I have zero interest in spending my hard earned $$ watching another film about drug abuse.

  9. Purpeller says:

    I read the first book a few years ago, basically because he said he loved them and I thought it was awful. He really went down in my estimation after that. I’ll probably give the first episode a look though.

  10. StillTotalled says:

    Oh those books! TRIED to read the first one when Bendy and Tom Hiddleston were raving about them, but just couldn’t. So depressing! Can’t imagine enjoying any sort of tv adaptation, even with that top-notch cast.

  11. greta says:

    I can’t believe he said the author of these books is one of the best if not the best writer in the English language. Has Cumberbatch completely lost it????
    Maybe he’s realized not many people care about him and his work any more so he’s dishing out hyperbole and lies.
    In the trailer, all I see is Sherlock on a high.

    • Julianne says:

      He trended on Twitter when the trailer came out. If anything, I’d say he’s more of an established actor than a web flash in the pan now.

      Not sure why you’re so upset about an opinion though? There is no right or wrong answer with someone’s favorite thing, and that’s what ‘among the best writers today’ falls under.