Benedict Cumberbatch: “Becoming a dad, I began to lead a healthy lifestyle. The love story of Benedict Cumberbatch and Sophie Hunter Benedict Cumberbatch is divorcing Sophie Hunter

Sophie Hunter

Actress Date of birth March 16 (Pisces) 1978 (41) Place of birth London Instagram @sophiehuntercentral

The wife of the famous actor Sophie Cumberbatch fully realized herself before marriage. Success came to her in all areas of activity: directing, acting, music. Now the woman is completely ready to devote herself family life, raising children and household chores.

Biography of Sophie Hunter

Sophie was born in London to Charles Hunter and Anna Catherine Gow. The girl often went to visit relatives on her mother’s side in the capital of Scotland. The landscapes and beauty of the country left their mark on creative taste future director.

The heiress of the Hunter family received her education at Oxford School foreign languages. Then she continued her studies at the theater school. Jacques Lecoq in Paris. Here the student discovered the amazing art of facial expressions and gestures.

Sophie honed her acquired skills by staging theatrical performances. She's on the list best works Benjamin Britten's opera The Rape of London, Mozart's Singspiel opera The Magic Flute, a performance based on Henrik Ibsen's work Ghosts. Under the leadership of a novice director, the troupe traveled largest cities Africa, visited New York.

Beethoven's opera Fidelio aroused particular interest among critics. The premiere of the work in Israel played a key role in recognizing Sophie’s professionalism. The girl and her colleagues were awarded the international Samuel Beckett Award.

At the beginning of 2010, Hunter staged the play Enron at the Royal Court Theater on Broadway. Until 2013, the girl worked in New York. The result of many hours of rehearsals and painstaking work were the performances “The Abduction of Lucretia”, “Sleep No More”, “Forgotten”, etc.

The director spent the entire 2015 year in London. She was busy with several projects. The last of them was presented on the stage of the Snape Maltings concert hall under the title “The Turn of the Screw”. Musical accompaniment The performances were provided by the Aurora Orchestra.

In parallel with directing, Sophie also works acting. In 2004, she played her first episodic role in the series “Purely English Murders.” The project still exists and is popular in the UK.

No less worthy films with Sophie Hunter are “Vanity Fair” (2004), “Burlesque Tales” (2009), “My Movie Life” (2004), “Great Performances” (2010). Everywhere the actress played minor characters. The only major role in her entire career was Anne Boleyn in the TV series " Henry VIII: The Mind of a Tyrant" (2009).

Weddings of the year: foreign couples

The creative biography of Benedict Cumberbatch began early - while still studying at the prestigious Harrow School, he first appeared on stage in the role of Joseph in a Christmas production, and the actor remembered this appearance for the rest of his life. A lot of time has passed since then, and now Cumberbatch is one of the most fashionable actors, and film critics call him a real genius.

Benedict Cumberbatch's wife Sophie

Benedict Cumberbatch, whose wife Sophie Hunter is not only an actress, but also a theater director, for a long time was considered one of the most eligible bachelors in England. There were serious romances in his personal life, but only his acquaintance with Sophie put an end to his bachelor life.

They met in 2009, when both were involved in the drama “Burlesque Tales,” but then this acquaintance did not foreshadow any serious changes in the personal lives of both. At that time, Cumberbatch had a serious affair with actress Olivia Pooles, whom he dated for twelve years, until 2011, and after breaking up with her, Benedict was in a relationship with designer Anna Jones for several months. In 2013, in an interview, the actor said that he was completely free - he had neither a wife nor children, and devoted all his time to work and communicating with friends. But a year later, a message appeared in The Times newspaper that he was engaged to Sophie Hunter.

In the photo - Benedict Cumberbatch with his wife Sophie Hunter

They carefully hid their romance, and for the first time appeared together at one of the matches of the Roland Garros tournament. This engagement took place after a year romantic relationships, and three months later, 38-year-old British actor Benedict Cumberbatch and 36-year-old actress and theater director Sophie Hunter got married. Such haste was caused by the fact that Sophie was expecting a child, who was born in the summer of 2015.

Their wedding was surrounded by a halo of secrecy and took place at the ancient Mottistone estate on the Isle of Wight, and was organized in a purely English style.

Among the guests were only the closest friends and relatives of the newlyweds, who after the wedding ceremony were invited to the ancient castle for a gala dinner.

Sophie Hunter embodied the ideal that Cumberbatch saw in his dreams - he said that his wife should have an excellent sense of humor, be able to carry on a conversation and have good taste.

Benedict Cumberbatch's wife is also talented and educated to match her husband - she graduated from Oxford University, where she studied Italian and French languages, Jacques Lecoq's theater school in Paris, took courses at the Saratoga International Theater Institute in New York.

The debut in her creative biography was her role in the series “Great Performances”, then she starred in “Vanity Fair” and other series. Sophie also proved herself as a director, staging the opera “The Rape of Lucretia” in New York and “The Magic Flute” during a tour of Africa. In addition, Hunter wrote and directed the avant-garde play The Terrific Electric and received prestigious award Samuel Beckett.

Children of the star couple

Benedict and Sophie's first-born son Christopher got his name from a character in the television version of the play by Tom Stoppard, played by Cumberbatch. For almost six months the parents managed to hide their son from prying eyes, and the first photo of the child appeared after the paparazzi waylaid the family walking in New York's SoHo.

In the photo - on a walk with my son

But Sophie and Benedict decided not to stop at the birth of one child, and in March of this year their second son, Hel, was born, named after the prince. The children of Benedict Cumberbatch and Sophie Hunter added to their family's worries and made them even happier.

Brief biography of Benedict Cumberbatch

He was born in a famous acting family Timothy Carlton and Wanda Ventham and early realized that his calling was the stage. However, after graduating from a prestigious school, Benedict got a job as a bartender, and then went to Tibet to one of the monasteries to teach its residents English language. Only after returning from there he entered the University of Manchester, where he studied theater, and then continued his studies at the London Academy of Musical and Dramatic Art.

Then he was firmly convinced that all his creative biography will devote himself to the theater and will never act in films, but everything happened differently. After several years of playing on the stage of famous English theaters, Cumberbatch agreed to take part in several comedy and scientific series, for which he received several awards, and after such success, the directors no longer let Benedict Cumberbatch out of their sight. The turning point in his career was the series "Sherlock", in which he played main role, which immediately made him super popular.

English actor Benedict Cumberbatch, who won the hearts of millions of fans thanks to his role as the shrewd Sherlock Holmes, has long kept fans and especially female fans in the dark about the details of his personal life. One of the most enviable and mysterious star bachelors stubbornly hid the name of his chosen one. And everything was revealed in a very English way: in November 2014, a modest announcement about the engagement of Benedict Cumberbatch and Sophie Hunter appeared in the Times newspaper. A couple of newspaper lines broke countless women’s hearts around the world and further aroused the curiosity of the public: who is she, the mysterious chosen one of the most popular British actor of our time?

Sophie Hunter, who was 36 years old at the time of her engagement, has long earned recognition in British artistic circles for her highly varied career. The Oxford graduate, fluent in several European languages, managed to star in such successful TV series as Torchwood and All English Murders. IN recent years Sophie was mainly involved in music: staging operas in Britain and the USA, singing and playing the piano. Like her fiancé, Sophie comes from a very noble family: her grandfather, Sir James Michael Gow, was even the commander-in-chief of the British army.

Considering the origin, education and very successful career Sophie, you could say that Benedict Cumberbatch has found his perfect couple. Answering a question about what kind of women he likes, the actor noted:

“A woman who can carry on a conversation in a way that makes you feel smart is also sexy in her own way. Has a very sense of humor great value. And I think the ability to work with others is sexy too.”

Meeting Benedict and Sophie

The story of how Mr. and Mrs. Cumberbatch met is shrouded in fog, as is everything connected with the personal life of modern Sherlock. It is believed that the couple met back in 2009 on the set of a drama with the intriguing title “Burlesque Tales”, in which they were both involved. True, at that time Benedict was in a relationship with actress Olivia Poulet. Olivia had been his companion since college. He separated from her in 2011 and after that began dating artist Anna James.

Even less is known about Sophie Hunter's premarital personal life; the only information leaked to the press is her affair with artist Conrad Shawcross, which ended in 2005. After filming Burlesque Tales, Sophie took part in the Great Performances series and also staged several theater plays.

It is most likely to assume that the relationship between Benedict and Sophie began with friendship, but at what point the friendship grew into a more serious feeling is difficult to say. Rumor has it that they actually started dating back in 2013, as evidenced by photos of them together at the Hay Festival. The official version says that their romance began in June 2014. Soon after, Sophie even accompanied Benedict to the wedding of his longtime friend James Rhodes.

Wedding

Be that as it may, in November 2014, the whole world learned about the upcoming engagement through an announcement in The Times newspaper.

The wedding took place on Valentine's Day, and this holiday, designed to mark the triumph of love, became a black day for millions of women who had to say goodbye forever to the dream of the most desirable groom in the United Kingdom. A modest wedding ceremony took place in the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul on the Isle of Wight, and Martin Freeman, who played the role of Dr. Watson in Sherlock, acted as a witness on the part of the groom.

Benedict Cumberbatch's children

In his interviews, Benedict often mentioned that he dreams of a big family:

"I was quite happy being an only child, but I always wanted to be part of big family. I would really like to have children. I can't wait to talk about my baby during an interview."

This happy day came in June 2015, when the couple announced the birth of their first child, whom rumor immediately dubbed “Cumberbaby.” The public learned the real name of the star child only three months after his birth - Christopher Carlton Cumberbatch.

Carlton is family name Cumberbatch, which is passed down from generation to generation: both Benedict himself and his father wear it.

“I think a child changes life for the better, not slows it down. Children do not limit you, they give you inspiration and a depth of understanding of humanity, the meaning of life on this planet, our purpose. This is much more than what an actor without a family and children could hope for,” Benedict said.

The actor is determined to do everything possible to ensure that his child grows up in a “normal” family.

“I want to normalize this part of our lives,” he shared.

Benedict’s worldwide fame, of course, does not leave his family alone, but, according to the actor himself, his wife copes flawlessly with this influx of adoration:

“She's proud of my work, she's proud of me, and she loves me. This is the most important thing, isn't it? This is one of the reasons why we are such a good fit for each other. It could have been a lot more complicated, but she's handling it all very well."

Sophie truly shows extraordinary self-control and restraint. She does not speculate on her husband’s fame and in her few interviews prefers to talk more about work than about her personal life. However, the success of their marriage can be judged by one of her statements:

“When two people meet and fit together, everything immediately falls into place.”

The first photographs of the couple with their son appeared only in April 2016:

In September 2016, the couple announced that they were expecting their second child. It was difficult to hide this, since at the premiere of the film “Doctor Strange” in Los Angeles, where the actor played the main role, his wife appeared with a noticeably rounded tummy.

After advertising such good news, Friends star couple shared their assumptions about Benedict's paternal abilities:

“If he dedicates as much time, effort and love to his children as he does to his work, he will be the greatest father of all time,” Allene Leach said.

Their second son, Hal Oden, named after Prince Hal, was born in March 2017 at Portland Private Hospital in London.

Cumberbatch regularly speaks out about his greatest achievement - being a father:

“A child is work that turns out to be unexpectedly difficult. Suddenly I understood my parents much more than before.”

The talented couple are frequent guests social events, where they immediately become the center of attention of the paparazzi. The couple does not hide their feelings, instilling in fans only deeper and deeper sympathy for themselves.

The famous actor believes that children are an inspiration, that they instill life in their parents, despite how much strength they demand from them in return. Benedict does not hide his love and affection for his family, expressing this with his desire to star in family films, so his children could see his work too.

Looking at this married couple, you can’t help but wonder if a wedding on the most romantic day of the year is the key to a happy family life? Be that as it may, the famous couple never ceases to delight the audience. We can only wish them happiness and the birth of a little princess.

Thunder struck suddenly: the actor, who carefully hid his personal life, married his girlfriend Sophie Hunter, who recently gave birth to his son.

Benedict Cumberbatch and Sophie Hunter. Photo: Rex Features/Fotodom.ru.

Benedict Cumberbatch is one of the few who can boast of an exemplary path to his goal. No scandals or participation in dubious projects. Everything is clear, strict and British-restrained. Our hero was born into a very “suitable” family of artists. The parents of the future star were the famous actor Timothy Carlton ( real name which, in fact, is Cumberbatch) and Wanda Ventham. The boy attended a prestigious school, within whose walls he first appeared on stage. Immediately realizing that acting was his calling, Benedict continued his studies in theater at the University of Manchester, and then at the London Academy of Musical and Dramatic Art.

It was then that he met his first love, actress Olivia Poulet. Everything in the life of the aspiring artist was smooth and even: gradually appeared good roles in the theater, on young man noticed on television. Fate purposefully led him to his main project. In 2010, Cumberbatch, already well-known in acting circles (at that time he had played in the films Amazing Lightness, The Other Boleyn Girl, Atonement and several TV series), was invited to play the role of the great detective in Sherlock. The success was predictable, but its scale was surprising even for omniscient producers. In just one season, Benedict turned from a star of the British stage into an idol of millions and a world-class actor. Now he has participated in the Oscar-winning films “Twelve Years a Slave” and “The Imitation Game”, the role of Julian Assange in “The Fifth Estate”...

Behind this stable popularity, fans could not discern the actor himself, Benedict was so silent and hidden. Until recently, he spoke sparingly about his personal life like this: “I live in London, alone. Without children and girlfriend. I work a lot and that's it free time I spend it on the set.” Now that first his lover and now his wife Sophie Hunter has appeared in the actor’s life, the crowd favorite has become much more talkative.

Benedict, it's impossible to start a conversation with you without touching on your epic rise from Sherlock. You have signed a contract for the fourth season. Still not tired of playing the role of an unpredictable detective?
Benedict Cumberbatch:“The beauty of this character is that he is unpredictable. Not only am I not tired, I remember every day of our common great work. I remember the first audition. I was a little excited and worried. And Beryl (Beryl Virtue, producer of the series - author's note) constantly offered me a cup of tea or cookies. I then thought that she was probably auditioning for the role of Mrs. Hudson.”

How was your relationship with your co-star, Martin Freeman?
Benedict:“Sherlock is nothing without his Doctor Watson. At the time Martin and I met, he was already a wow figure! Can you imagine the scale of his personality! (Laughs.) It only seems that he is a meek, modest fellow. In general, of course, he is absolutely fantastic. He played one hundred percent better than me, I physically felt it. I have been his big fan since the days of filming the TV series “The Office” and I was afraid that I would fail next to such an actor. But the necessary chemistry arose between us. Well, you see everything for yourself. I think that we have a wonderful union, the way we wanted to show on the screen.”

Of course, your fans are very concerned about where Sherlock Holmes ends and Benedict Cumberbatch begins...
Benedict:“Well, in real life I’m more polite than Sherlock, definitely. He simply doesn't have time for all these pleasantries and jokes. So, what else... Strange hobbies? No, this is not about me either. And I don’t think I could live in the same apartment with a man. (Laughs.) The only person The one I feel comfortable living with is the one I'm married to. Although we are similar in our love of solitude and obsession with work. Sherlock is fierce, vicious, brilliant, funny and attractive, but I sense his cruelty underneath. He's always on the edge."

Do you have a favorite Sherlock episode?
Benedict:“I'm not very good at picking favorites, I've never been good at it. There is no favorite episode, but there are favorite scenes. This is footage of a chase through London - believe me, you couldn't do anything more fun in your life! The moments when Sherlock falls somewhere are absolutely breathtaking! Well, I also really like watching my colleagues play. For example, I enjoy Martin's skill in every scene. The episode with Dr. Watson's wedding was probably the funniest."

Many stars play in film adaptations of classic books, but do not read the works themselves...
Benedict:“Are you hinting? (Laughs.) No, I'm not like that. I read everything. This is the best actor's reference book you can find, detailed description character, down to the smallest detail. Golden formula for success! I will say more: every member film set read Conan Doyle, and we all, looking at the finished material, look back at him and consult his books.”

How did it happen that your parents appeared on screen as Sherlock’s parents?
Benedict:“In general, they are big fans of the series, right from the pilot episode. And when the producers began to think about introducing new characters, the idea was born. Well, and then I suggested my own: “You know, I have a couple of working parents,” and the director gave the go-ahead. I immediately called them and asked if they were in town and if they had a day or two. They thought that I would invite them to a picnic. (Laughs.) Mom and dad, of course, were very nervous, and this despite their enormous acting experience. I hope this is not our last time together."

Obviously, your relationship with your parents is excellent.
Benedict:“And it has always been like this. How could it be otherwise if you are dealing with good, honest, talented and decent people?”

You know that you are already firmly on the list of the most sexy men planets? And how does it feel?
Benedict:“I think someone at the top made a big mistake. (Laughs.) Moreover, I even know how it happened. You're just confusing me with Sherlock! But to tell the truth, I don’t think he’s too sexy either. Anyway, it's very flattering, but I always giggle like a stupid girl when I'm once again they ask about these sex symbols.”

In the last five years, you have appeared not only in these lists, but also in the news, paparazzi and fans are hunting for you. Are you coping with fame?
Benedict:“I’m still getting used to it. There are days when I feel discomfort on my skin, I want to stay at home, lie under the covers, and not go anywhere. I want privacy privacy, protected from prying eyes. I want to go to the office, chat with a colleague, and get over my hangover. Become invisible to the crowd. But there are also days when I don’t mind the increased attention at all and happily communicate with strangers who approach me on the streets.”

For recent months you shocked your fans by first getting married and then becoming a father. Tell us about this side of Benedict Cumberbatch's life.
Benedict:“It’s not every time I talk about such things, but... Love is amazing luck. To find someone you love, and for that someone to love you back, is an amazing opportunity. And not everyone gets it. It is precisely because now I am confident in my luck that I am ready to talk about it. What happened to Sophie and me, what we met along the way - small miracle, considering how businesslike and busy we both are. And I'm incredibly excited and incredibly grateful for that. I remember I gave an interview recently, where I complained that I was not married yet, that I did not have children. Since childhood, I was sure that by the age of thirty I would have a family. And then Sophie appeared.”

By the way, your sister admitted in one of her conversations with journalists that your chosen one must be a truly unique woman. Like, it’s very difficult to love you.
Benedict:“That's true. I'm really not easy to love. But Sophie has the situation under control. She is proud of me, my work, she loves me. And that’s the most important thing.”

Admit it, how did it happen that a few months ago you said that the wedding would not happen, and now you are already a married person?
Benedict:“Well, it's just time. In the end, our son was born into a legal marriage. We did everything quickly and simply, no journalists, only close friends.”

The way you announced your engagement touched and touched an entire army of your fans, despite their bitter disappointment. Have you thought through this move?
Benedict:“I didn’t plan anything and didn’t think about this move in any way. I just advertised our wedding in the newspaper. It's just a tradition, an old British way of informing relatives and friends. Perhaps this is old-fashioned, but I would do it even if I were not in this strange position very much. famous actor. This step is very personal, intimate for me, this is what my parents and my grandparents did. And so I did.

Of course, I understood that the world would find out - one way or another. But such a move was not made to attract attention to our engagement, under no circumstances. Just without false modesty - sometimes I don’t have enough time for numerous phone calls and invitations. And here all our friends had the opportunity to come and congratulate us."

What other positive changes are happening in your life right now?
Benedict:"Well, considering my new role- husband and father, - I decided to gather my strength and quit smoking. So as not to jinx it. (Knocks on the table, laughs.) I wouldn’t want to announce this loudly, then break down a month later and read about myself in the newspapers: “Liar!” And he said that he got rid of this bad habit!“ I haven’t smoked for a month. I'd kill for a cigarette right now. (Sighs.) No, actually I'm kidding. I'm fine. In general, after becoming a dad, I began to lead healthy image life, feeling responsible. I eat right, I don’t even eat much at night! I do gymnastics, at least half an hour a day. Somehow I opened up... God, do you need any more secrets and details of my personal life? I want to improve my sleep and get a lot of sleep. There are no bright spots in sight here yet.”

By the way, you taught English in a Tibetan monastery! Have you learned to meditate?
Benedict:“Don't laugh, but yes! I meditate a lot. I practice breathing techniques, and it helps keep me in good shape. Especially before theater premieres, when you’re nervous or can’t pull yourself together.”

Does an actor as experienced as Mr. Cumberbatch get nervous before going on stage?
Benedict:“You've got to be kidding me! Of course I'm worried. And not only before performances. I worry when there is not enough time - I hate being late, I don’t want to make someone wait, I don’t like having to catch up with someone. I'm afraid to meet talented people, if there is a chance that I will disappoint them. The only way out of this nervous state is to find your adrenaline and use it. Learn from your mistakes, let the situation build around you. After all, fear is counterproductive, and I am, after all, productive, like all British people.”

You are currently busy with an incredible number of projects. Is this all due to workaholism?
Benedict:“What are you talking about?! Deep down, in my heart, I am an incredibly lazy creature. I wouldn’t do anything in my life except go to my family and friends for the holidays!”

How is yours going? social life? They say that you are a person with an active civic position, caring and fair.
Benedict:"Live in modern society and at the same time being detached from his problems is the position of a child. And I'm already a big boy. (Laughs.) I am a member of the National Council for Civil Liberties in England. And I am very proud that I can do at least something to protect our rights. But besides social struggle I’m happy to go to all sorts of comic conventions - despite how busy I am, I try to choose the time. True, now, with the birth of my son, I think that I will go to the next convention with him, when he is thirteen years old. No, no, I'm not complaining at all. I’m a father, after all!”

In addition to the title of “sexiest man,” you are also the proud owner of the title “most stylish man on the planet.” Nice?
Benedict:“Here, obviously, we need to say thanks to Sherlock again. Believe me, you wouldn't want to see what I'm wearing around the house. The last thing I want to do inside the walls of my apartment is walk around in Victorian costumes. Loose clothing only! I love baggy workout pants. And now, confessing to you all my sins, I am very glad that you do not have the opportunity to come to visit me.”

"I always wanted to be part of a big family"

Sophie Hunter and Benedict Cumberbatch met back in 2009, when they starred together in the film Burlesque Tales. True, at that time Benedict was in a relationship with actress Olivia Poulet. After Olivia, Benedict met with Ekatirena Elizarova, Lara Pulver, Anna James. Little is known about Sophie Hunter's personal life during the premarital period; the only information leaked to the press was her affair with the artist Conrad Shawcross, which ended in 2005.

The official version says that Sophie and Benedict's romance began in June 2014. Soon after, Sophie even accompanied Benedict to the wedding of his longtime friend James Rhodes.

Shortly before his affair with Hunter, Benedict said in an interview: “It’s wonderful to get married young and become a father. I thought that I would get married after 30 and have children. But now I think I can wait. I'm no longer in a hurry to get married."

When asked about the woman he would like to meet, Cumberbatch replied: “This is a woman who knows that she doesn’t need a lot of jewelry to look sexy. A woman who can make you feel smart in a conversation is also sexy. I am sure that a sense of humor is also important.” “I think that a woman who works well with others is also sexy. It's like playing a doubles tennis match. You must work well as a couple to remain partners for a long time. I would like to get to know the girl first and build trust before making any commitments."

In November 2014, the whole world learned about the upcoming engagement, and just a few months later the couple got married on Valentine's Day. The private wedding ceremony took place in the 12th-century Church of St. Peter and St. Paul in the town of Mottistone on the English island of Wyatt, English Channel. The engagement became known from short message, which Benedict posted in The Times newspaper on the personal notices page: “Mr B. T. Cumberbatch and Miss S. I. Hunter: engagement announced between Benedict, son of Wanda and Timothy Cumberbatch of London, and Sophie, daughter of Catherine Hunter of Edinburgh and Charles Hunter of London." According to Cumberbatch, he published the ad following British tradition, and would have done so even if he were not a famous actor.

Sophie Hunter, who was 36 years old at the time of her marriage, has long earned recognition in British artistic circles for her highly varied career. The Oxford graduate, fluent in several European languages, managed to star in such successful TV series as Torchwood, Great Performances and Quite English Murders. In recent years, Sophie has been predominantly involved in music: staging operas in Britain and the USA, singing and playing the piano. Like her husband, Sophie comes from a very noble family: her grandfather, Sir James Michael Gow, was even the commander-in-chief of the British army.

Cumberbatch admitted in an interview: “Sophie is proud of my work, she is proud of me, and she loves me. And this is the most important thing. I’m not easy to love, but she’s in complete control of the situation.”

In his interviews, Benedict often mentioned that he dreams of a big family: “I was quite happy being an only child, but I always wanted to be part of a big family. I would really like to have children. I can't wait to talk about my baby during an interview."

This happy day came in June 2015, when the couple announced the birth of their first child, Christopher Carlton Cumberbatch, whom rumor immediately dubbed “Cumberbaby.” Well, just recently the couple had a second child.