Benedict Cumberbatch defends straight actors playing gay characters

Benedict Cumberbatch defends straight actors playing gay characters

Benedict Cumberbatch has defended his decision to play a gay character in his new film, despite not identifying as one in real life.

In new movie The Power of the Dog, the 45-year-old plays Phil Burbank, a “sadistic rancher” who gets into a relationship with Peter (Kodi Smit-McPhee).

The actor has since revealed that this “wasn’t done without thought” and frequent conversations took place about the topic.

Speaking at the Telluride Film Festival, Cumberbatch said: “I feel very sensitive about representation, diversity, and inclusion.

“One of the appeals of the job was the idea that in this world, with this specific character, there was a lot that was private, hidden from view.”

Although his character is never directly described as gay in the movie, Cumberbatch previously played a gay man in The Imitation Game when he acted as Alan Turing.

He added: “It wasn’t done without thought. I also feel slightly like, is this a thing where our dance card has to be public? Do we have to explain all our private moments in our sexual history? I don’t think so.”

The Doctor Strange star went on to state that director Jane Champion “chose us as actors to play those roles. That’s her question to answer.”

Smit-McPhee also commented on the issue, explaining that he relates a lot to his character even though he is a straight man.

The post Benedict Cumberbatch defends straight actors playing gay characters appeared first on GAY TIMES.

Benedict Cumberbatch defends straight actors playing gay characters

Benedict Cumberbatch has defended his decision to play a gay character in his new film, despite not identifying as one in real life.

In new movie The Power of the Dog, the 45-year-old plays Phil Burbank, a “sadistic rancher” who gets into a relationship with Peter (Kodi Smit-McPhee).

The actor has since revealed that this “wasn’t done without thought” and frequent conversations took place about the topic.

Speaking at the Telluride Film Festival, Cumberbatch said: “I feel very sensitive about representation, diversity, and inclusion.

“One of the appeals of the job was the idea that in this world, with this specific character, there was a lot that was private, hidden from view.”

Although his character is never directly described as gay in the movie, Cumberbatch previously played a gay man in The Imitation Game when he acted as Alan Turing.

He added: “It wasn’t done without thought. I also feel slightly like, is this a thing where our dance card has to be public? Do we have to explain all our private moments in our sexual history? I don’t think so.”

The Doctor Strange star went on to state that director Jane Champion “chose us as actors to play those roles. That’s her question to answer.”

Smit-McPhee also commented on the issue, explaining that he relates a lot to his character even though he is a straight man.

The post Benedict Cumberbatch defends straight actors playing gay characters appeared first on GAY TIMES.