Did Benedict Cumberbatch shave back his hairline for his ‘Brexit’ role?

The Southbank Sky Arts Awards

Here are some photos of Benedict Cumberbatch at this weekend’s South Bank Sky Arts Awards. He walked the red carpet like this, in a suit and a newsboy cap, which he wore the entire time he was on the red carpet, apparently. Why? The hat makes him look even more otter-ish than usual, and let’s face it: dude always looks like an otter. I kind of wonder if Bendy is worried about his hairline these days, because I think he might have shaved it back in real life. Benedict is currently filming Brexit, about the political machinations behind-the-scenes of the Brexit/Bremain campaigns. Cumberbatch stars as Dominic Cummings, “the leading strategist and Campaign Director of Vote Leave.” A photo of Bendy in character was released last week:

I thought that this was just some kind of makeup/wig magic. But now that I’m seeing Bendy in the newsboy hat… yeah, I think the otter actually shaved back his hairline for this role.

At the awards ceremony, Benedict picked up the outstanding achievement award, and he said this in his acceptance speech:

“I am quite flabbergasted to be receiving this award, especially when looking at past recipients. I am, needless to say, immensely grateful and humbled. The South Bank Show has always had a place in my heart as being an inspirational exploration of the best of culture, so to be recognised in this way by Melvyn (Bragg) and the show is incredibly flattering, and I am very humbled to be this year’s recipient. Many, many thanks.”

[From The Independent]

So there you go. The Otter is still winning awards. Bless him and his hairline.

The Southbank Sky Arts Awards

The Southbank Sky Arts Awards

Photos courtesy of Backgrid.

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10 Responses to “Did Benedict Cumberbatch shave back his hairline for his ‘Brexit’ role?”

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  1. Lindy79 says:

    It would explain that hat with the suit….I am horrified

    Also, Hiddles presented the award to him, he’s still fuzzy <3

    • justme says:

      Did you see the picture of Tom and Ben together? Must have been how they were standing, plus the Hiddleston hair floof factor vs. newsboy cap, but Tom looked like a giant next to Ben 🙂 But he had such lovely things to say about his friend. https://www.bustle.com/p/tom-hiddleston-benedict-cumberbatchs-friendship-was-on-display-last-night-cuter-than-ever-9645955
      “He can do anything; he has done almost everything,” Hiddleston said when presenting the award. “He’s a great actor, a great man and I’m glad to call him my friend.”

      • Lindy79 says:

        I did and thought the same, the newsboy cap seems to flatten him or something, plus the Hiddlesfluff gives him an extra couple of inches haha?

      • lightpurple says:

        There is a good three inches of difference in the level of their shoulders. I have always thought Cumberbatch was shorter than he claimed to be.

      • Kellis says:

        Their shoulder level isn’t a great measure, lightpurple, but that’s closer on other photos anyway. It was the hat versus the high hair (and Hiddles possibly wearing something with a heel).

        Unless Cumberbatch has suddenly shrunk, there’s only about 2 inches of difference between them in other photos. Plus Google tells me his stand-ins are between 6’0 and 6’1″.

        Although now I’m wondering about Chiwetel Ejiofor. He’s listed as 5’10” but seems more than 2 inches shorter than Cumberbatch lol

  2. Grant says:

    I was so over him until I saw Avengers: Infinity War. I didn’t love him in the standalone Dr. Strange, but I thought he was great in the most recent Avengers.

  3. Betsy says:

    Cumberbatch is amazing in Patrick Melrose. Great series and at least his production team aren’t taking easy showy options. The director was excellent and he did good work on The Terror as well.

    • Jayna says:

      I watched Patrick Melrose this weekend. We added Showtime onto our Amazon Prime just to see The Affair season 4, and saw Patrick Melrose and watched it. I watch a bunch of shows for a few months and then cancel Showtime until the next seasons of shows I like.

      But Benedict was absolutely brilliant. You have to stick with it to see the heart and soul of this character. The first episode is like a solo one-act play. Benedict comes from privilege, but he is a manic speed/heroin addict in a wild binge all over NYC. He will blow your mind. Thankfully, as the series proceeds, you see the other sides to his character and uncovering his pain from his childhood. But what a wild ride he takes you on in that first episode. Episode 5, the finale, was really well done.

      What range he has as an actor.

  4. MerrymerrymonthofMay says:

    I love Benedict Cumberbatch! He and Hugh Jackman can do no wrong in my book

  5. V.L.719 says:

    Hmm….I did notice that too his posture seemed different 🤨

    I’m happy for his PM nomination! That is so amazing for him. Loved that Rolling Stone article and happy to FINALLY see movement in my prediction. Hope you liked Las Vegas Mr. C, you’ll be back sooner than you think 😉 All in good time.