For those of you who have Benedict Cumberbatch on your bae-watch list, this bit of news should delight you to no end: he’s starring in a new show!
Deadline is reporting that Benedict Cumberbatch — who has just come off a successful run as the titular Doctor Strange in the film of the same name — will be both starring in, and executive producing, a new show for the BBC called The Child in Time.
The show will be produced in conjunction with the acclaimed Masterpiece, which is listed as the co-producer of the drama special.
Benedict Cumberbatch has already developed a strong relationship with both the BBC and Masterpiece on account of his successful, four season run as the titular Sherlock, a role he’s played since 2010 — and a role that, critics say, catapulted him into the American pop culture zeitgeist and turned him into the “Thinking Woman’s Crumpet.”
Based on the book, The Child in Time, by Ian McEwan, the drama will focus on the story of Stephen Lewis, a book author, whose life is torn asunder when his daughter goes missing. Stephen, who will be played by Cumberbatch, becomes estranged from his wife as they learn to cope with their daughter’s disappearance, and the grief that comes with it.
The novel will be adapted for the screen by Stephen Butchard (The Last Kingdom) and directed by Julian Farino (Entourage).
Naturally, Benedict Cumberbatch released a statement about his participation in the made-for-TV film, which we encourage you to read in his delicious accent.
"“I read the novel years ago and it stayed with me — profound, beautiful and very moving. Only Ian McEwan could write about loss with such telling honesty. We’re very excited to have Stephen Butchard’s subtle and brilliant adaptation, and in Julian Farino we have an extraordinary director who delivers emotional truth. I’m so proud The Child In Time will be the first drama produced by SunnyMarch TV.”"
Next: J.K. Rowling vs. Piers Morgan: Harry Potter Creator Roasts The Host
If you simply cannot wait to see Benedict Cumberbatch in The Child in Time, be sure to check him out when he reprises his role as Doctor Strange in Thor: Ragnarok, which is in theaters this November. (Chris Hemsworth is in that, too.)