BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH TURNS 40

It's been a big couple of years for Benedict Cumberbatch - marriage, baby, Oscar noms, and becoming more than Sherlock Holmes. On his 40th birthday, we take a look back at how this razor-cheek-boned Brit became a household name.

And what a name it is! Some might say a good deal of his notoriety is due in part to his distinctive name and all the adorable pseudonyms it engenders. My favourite is Bumblebee Cabbagepatch. Ben’s (I’m sure he’ll forgive me) full name is Benedict Timothy Carlton Cumberbatch, and he comes from a long line of Carlton Cumberbatchs. He’s been kind to his son though, giving him the surname Carlton. Both his parents are actors, and appeared as Sherlock’s parents in the TV show.

Benedict Cumberbatch began acting in 2002 but didn’t catch serious notice until his role in Steven Moffat’s reimagined Sherlock Holmes series in 2010. Despite being extremely popular, ‘Sherlock’ has only managed 4 seasons in 7 years, though this might actually be a direct result of the sudden demand it bestowed on its two leads. Martin Freeman is now enjoying mainstream Hollywood too, appearing recently in ‘Captain America: Civil War’ and ‘Whiskey Tango Foxtrot’. Cumberbatch will be joining him in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as he’s soon to appear as the lead in a standalone 'Doctor Strange' movie.