The sound you hear is a million Cumbercrushes dying simultaneously

Benedict Cumberbatch films Brexit

I will never be able to un-see these photos, so if I have to see this, you do too! Earlier this month, I wrote (in a post no one read!) that Benedict Cumberbatch had likely shaved back his hairline for his role in Brexit, a film about cupcakes (just kidding). Benedict plays Dominic Cummings, the guy who partially masterminded the Vote Leave campaign, as in he’s the guy who “won” Brexit. Since Cummings is a real-life person, Benedict changed up his look to look more like Cummings. And here are some paparazzi photos from the set.

Like, I’ve noticed that Benedict’s hairline seems to be creeping back as the years go by. I realized that at some point, we would probably see him with a shaved head or a bald spot or with little hairline remaining at all. But I thought it would be gradual and now it’s hit me all at once, and I’m shocked by these photos. Obviously, he did shave his hairline back and he’s probably wearing some kind of prosthetic something for that bald spot, maybe? But yes, Bendy looks like a baby bird. No disrespect to women who like this look (like CB, who has a thing for bald/balding men), but this is Cumberbatch-specific, and so much of his “fame” is wrapped up in his Sherlock hair.

So here’s my question: would you still hit it, if you were a die-hard Cumberbitch or Sherlock stan? I don’t think I could. Maybe if I closed my eyes and just listened to his voice? But even then… these photos are now seared onto my retinas. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to see him as OG Bendy anymore.

Benedict Cumberbatch films Brexit

Benedict Cumberbatch films Brexit

Photos courtesy of WENN.

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59 Responses to “The sound you hear is a million Cumbercrushes dying simultaneously”

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  1. Lisa Giametti says:

    I have never gotten the appeal of him, as both an actor or “sex” symbol.

    • Pia says:

      He’s a good enough actor ( Better than Tom hiddleston and and eddie redmayne, but not as good as Tom hardy, Andrew Garfield, cillian Murphy ) . But the sex symbol thing has always puzzled me.

      • Cey says:

        Dunno if I’d say Hardy and Murphy are better than him. I’d say the three of them are equal – especially considering what a tremendous job Cumberbatch does in both Richard III and Patrick Melrose which imo are two brilliant performances that deserve more attention. Plus these days he’s really killing it as Dr Strange (a lot of marvel fans like him a lot now thanks to infinity war). He’s leagues ahead of Garfield and much better than both Redmayne and Hiddleston though.
        Also I think people focus too much on his ‘sex symbol’ status. Most fans of Sherlock like him because he’s witty, nice to fans and is an overall decent guy who just happened to look a little Byronic in an iconic role.

      • Pia says:

        He’s definetly not leagues better than Garfield. He’s simply older and most non Uk based non NYC based people aren’t aware of some of the great work Garfield has done or tend to associate him with the teenage Spider-Man franchise. Garfield was devastating in angels against America, great in a salesman on Broadway. Seen cumberbatch on Stage too and have to say Garfield was by far the more impressive actor in terms of range. He can also play American, cumberbatch ( as well as Hiddleston and redmayne) somehow always reads as English. Hardy is far more of a transformative actor. Murphy is a brilliant underestated non showy actor.Cumber can act though I just don’t rate him as high as the aforementioned. But he’s the best of that posh actor bunch.

      • JanetDR says:

        I’m with you Cey! The photo is so bad it’s funny. I will note that there is nothing wrong about how his father looks though.

      • Cey says:

        I guess we’ll have to agree to disagree then. Garfield has never impressed me (although I will admit that he was quite good in Angels in America, though Ben Wishaw would’ve been even better) but I think if you are truly talking about transformative actors, the best one is James Mcavoy who is still massively underrated and has done brilliant work throughout his career. Garfield still has much to learn. Look at him in Spider-Man. He was the oldest one of the bunch and gave a completely mediocre performance. You put the same the same character in the hands of Tom Holland and he gave a performance that was loved by many – so much so that they consider him the best out of the three actors. Garfield has a long way to go.

      • aenflex says:

        OK, he’s good. But I don’t know if I’d say better than Redmayne. Redmayne is so damn good, so damn nuanced, I just can’t go there.

    • Shelly says:

      Never thought he was cute. The hairstyle really ages him. Just like Prince William

    • SlightlyAnonny says:

      He looks like an overcooked fetus. He is not and has never been attractive or sexy. And I second Pia. Tom Hardy and Cillian Murphy could act circles around this guy without even trying.

    • Pandy says:

      Me neither, although I don’t think I’ve ever seen him in anything lol. He’s not my cup of tea but I don’t think he looks hideous with the receding hairline either. I can’t discount guys because of a bald spot …. it’s not preventable and I try not to be too judgy for something that can’t be helped.

      • DahliaDee says:

        Watch “Third Star” also with Tom Burke and JJ Field. He is fantastic in that. They all are.

      • jammypants says:

        That always bothers me. Making fun of men losing hair. It’s genetics. They can’t help it. It amazes me how much people tie self worth into something like that.

    • Yes Doubtful says:

      I think he has a fun personality, but I don’t find him attractive in the slightest.

    • Miss Gloss says:

      Never understood how anyone thinks he’s hot—hair or no hair. Gross.

    • Al says:

      Yep, he’s a fine actor with the parts he plays, but I don’t think he has much range, and find him to be over-rated. He only seems to play variations on slightly arrogant, repressed, middle class, genius, types. And I never find myself forgetting that I am watching him, like I do with better actors.

      Also, on a shallower point, the man has no chin, I don’t get how anyone can think that’s attractive.

  2. Tanya says:

    No. I couldn’t do it.

  3. inthekitchen says:

    I have never understood his appeal even with his OG hairline. And these photos? Yeah…not good. But, I don’t think I’ve ever seen even one photo of him where I thought, “ohhhh, now I get it.” It’s face for me. Sooooo unattractive and his personality doesn’t save it for me. Kind of like Chris Pratt…nope, just a 100%, 24/7, hard pass for me. Nope on looks and definitely nope on personality!

    • Aren says:

      People fell in love with his character.
      It happened to me with Shia LaBeouf, after seeing him act in a horrible movie, I ended up finding him attractive.

  4. Shiraz says:

    He bald.

  5. Beth says:

    I know that not everyone has the same opinion of who or what is attractive, but I never noticed anything appealing about him. This hair style makes him more unattractive

  6. JAC says:

    He doesn’t look that bad?

  7. Dorky says:

    I dunno, I still think he looks kinda hot!

    • WingKingdom says:

      Yeah, I would definitely still hit that. I’m not a stan and he’s not my celeb crush or anything, but he’s pretty freaking sexy.

  8. MCV says:

    He makes me believe that reptilians are real.

  9. Lindy79 says:

    Peak Sherlock yes but that has looooong since past, long before this.

  10. Lightpurple says:

    I never had a Cumbercrush. Thought he was unattractive and the personality didn’t help. These pictures are making me laugh.

    • elvie says:

      Same! I almost did a spit take and had a good laugh. Good actor, but never found him attractive in any sense.

  11. Belluga says:

    Yikes.

    He never did much for me, but I could see the appeal from very specific angles. Now he looks like my creepy ex neighbour…

  12. TeamAwesome says:

    That last one with the sunglasses looks like Prince Albert.

    • MissM says:

      I was about to say the exact same thing! He doesn’t look as bad with the sunglasses but this is a man who desperately needs hair and eyebrows.

    • Medusa says:

      Absolutely! Even Albert keeps getting women way out of his league for some reason so it explains some of the womenfolk here lusting after a very, very English looking man. And I mean in an aristocratic, interbreeding within the same circles for centuries type of English.

  13. Kay Hendricks says:

    Still would. Always would. Although I am really attached to his hair. Especially his Sherlock hair. But I know the lovely auburn curls will return and I hope some day for the return of the Sherlock curls as well. Really loved him in Patrick Melrose.

  14. Mina says:

    I like that he’s not vain enough to reject a role for what he has to do with his hairline.

  15. Nova says:

    I cannot believe they are making a Brexit movie. I am even more shocked that Benedict Cumberbatch is a part of it. Surely he has better and smarter projects around.

    Lastly, no I wouldn’t hit it but I have never been a Cumberbitch anyway.

    • Mina says:

      Why wouldn’t they do a Brexit movie? It’s quite an interesting look into the campaign that managed to convince people to leave. And it’s being done for british television. How many movies has HBO done about US elections?

    • Meggles says:

      It’s a TV single drama being made for Channel 4, not like a movie-movie. It’s considered a prestige thing for them not a commercial thing.

      The writer is a close friend of mine and previously wrote a hit TV drama called Coalition about the Coalition government.

  16. Jay says:

    I would never have hit it. 😛

  17. Murphy says:

    First thought was–is he on set playing Prince Edward? Why on earth would anyone make a movie about Prince Edward?

  18. themummy says:

    Yep. Still would. I agree that this is not a good look for him, but I appreciate that he isn’t too vain to take a role in which this look is necessary, and also, in motion, I think his appeal is still going to be there. The stills are the best, fo sho…but I would still hit it all day long.

  19. Grace says:

    I think there are a couple of groups… those who have a crush on Sherlock-batch specifically… and those who just love the ‘Batch in all forms…
    I’m definitely in the later group… no matter what ‘look’ he goes through he just… does things to me…

  20. saltandpepper says:

    Nope. Looks like a taller, younger Albert from Monaco. Yikes.

  21. jammypants says:

    I’m not really a fan and don’t find him hot but I enjoy following his career. He’s not a bad dude.

  22. raincoaster says:

    He HATED the Sherlock curls and got rid of them every chance he got.

  23. Margaret says:

    I’ve never found him attractive so the receding hairline doesn’t cause me any concern. Interesting, yes, sexy, no.

  24. Lisa says:

    Reminds me of the Fat Controller from Thomas the Tank Engine, only thin.

  25. Meggles says:

    UO: Cumby’s best role was Cabin Pressure.

  26. An says:

    Never found him attractive but he’s a great actor. Also, when it’s for a role, I don’t understand why his looks matter per se: the guy he is playing is not attractive.

    His hairline (when it’s not shaved for a role) is in the same exact spot it’s always been, Kaiser. I saw Amazing Grace not that long ago and he’s young in it with his head shaved–was surprised to see a hairline as high as hell. He must style his hair to cover it.

  27. CashewCrust says:

    Brilliant actor and really good with accents. Never thought he was hot but he has a kind of charisma, not the shagalicious kind though.

  28. Happy21 says:

    I never really got the appeal until I saw him act. He is a tremendously talented man and that is attractive to me. I don’t care if a man is bald, whatever. Here, however, I don’t find him even remotely attractive…
    But then I’ll see the movie and think okay he’s good looking…LMAO