Get a first look at Benedict Cumberbatch in Channel 4 drama ‘Brexit: The Uncivil War’
I will admit that there are times I feel somewhat conflicted when it comes to finding out that Benedict Cumberbatch has agreed to, or is coming out with, another TV drama or feature film.
On one hand, we’re talking about the opportunity to be able to see on screen one of the most brilliant actors in present day memory. On the other hand, it’s the reality that, for every role he takes, it delays the possibility of another season of Sherlock just a little bit longer.
In Channel 4’s Brexit: The Uncivil War, which will air in 2019, Cumberbatch plays Dominic Cummings, the relatively unknown political advisor who made his name as lead strategist for the Vote Leave campaign during the 2016 Brexit vote.
Looking a bit different from his iconic role as the world’s most famous consulting detective, it’s clear that Cumberbatch had to spend a bit more time in makeup for his work in Brexit.
In the film clip below, Cumberbatch’s character Cummings is seen speaking to the camera from what seems to be an eerily familiar room, straight out of Office Space. By the time the vote is over, you’d think all Cummings has left is his red stapler.
“Everyone knows who won,” the Vote Leave strategist says, “but not everyone knows how.”
The 2016 Brexit referendum pitted two virtually unknown strategists against each other. They dealt with more well-known politicians who positioned themselves in the limelight, along with controversial financial backers on each side.
From the Channel 4 press release:
Written by Olivier Award-winning playwright James Graham and directed by Toby Haynes (Black Mirror, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, Sherlock), Brexit: The Uncivil War will also star Rory Kinnear (The Imitation Game, Skyfall) as Craig Oliver, David Cameron’s former director of communications, who headed the Remain campaign’s communication strategy.
Brexit was an eight-week campaign that will, most likely, change the U.K. forever. No matter how you voted, or if you were virtually in favor of Remain or Vote Leave efforts from afar, hopefully the world’s most famous consulting detective can deduce just how it happened.
Brexit: The Uncivil War transmits in 2019 on Channel 4.
