Benedict Cumberbatch burst into the Hollywood scene after a ridiculously successful stint in the BBC series, Sherlock. Soon after, his successive roles as a dragon in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, one of the Avengers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and a villainous Khan in J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek reboot turned him into a pop culture icon.
But beyond the popular franchises and iconic IPs, it is his work in dramatic pieces of theater, film, and television that established Cumberbatch as one of the finest actors of this generation. Through projects such as The Imitation Game, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Hawking, The Power of the Dog, Hamlet, Patrick Melrose, and The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar – Cumberbatch has carefully curated a career that is worthy of his 2 Oscar nominations.
Avengers Actor Puts a Journalist in His Place
Benedict Cumberbatch has garnered a reputation for being one of the most genuine, graceful, and polished celebrities on the planet. But the Avengers star has rarely been seen in action, coming to the rescue of the damsel in distress.
![Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightley [Credit: David Poland/TIFF]](https://fwmedia.fandomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/13170002/Benedict-Cumberbatch-and-Keira-Knightley-in-2014-interview-Credit-David-PolandTIFF.jpeg "Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightley [Credit: David Poland/TIFF]")
However, one unlucky encounter with a brash journalist allowed his inner gentleman to lash out and deliver a snarky reply to defend the honor of his fellow co-star, Keira Knightley. In a 2014 press junket at the Toronto International Film Festival, journalist David Poland remarked to Keira Knightley, “You look a little worn out,” in the run-up to the interview.
While Knightley refrained from commenting at first, Benedict Cumberbatch put Poland in his place, saying: “That’s not a nice thing to say to one of the most beautiful women on the planet.” With the Endgame actor’s support, Knightley let out a brief “Yeah, f**k you!” at Poland before acknowledging her co-star for defending her so readily.
Benedict Cumberbatch vs. Rude Interviewers: A Saga
While this is not the first time a journalist has stepped out of line with a celebrity, it is weirdly coincidental that such an incident should happen twice with Keira Knightley while promoting The Imitation Game, requiring Benedict Cumberbatch to step up both times to defend his co-star’s honor.
![Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightley in The Imitation Game (2014) [Credit: The Weinstein Company/StudioCanal]](https://fwmedia.fandomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/13170000/Benedict-Cumberbatch-and-Keira-Knightley-in-The-Imitation-Game-2014-Credit-The-Weinstein-Company-StudioCanal.jpeg "Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightley in The Imitation Game (2014) [Credit: The Weinstein Company/StudioCanal]")
Knightley mediated the previous encounter with her good-humored reply by admitting that the reason behind her worn-out look was rooted in hunger: “I’m just basically really hungry. It’s like hunger rage that’s about to come out in this nasty demon.”
However, another encounter turned a bit physical after the British reporter and film critic Mark Kermode allegedly called her “IKEA Knightley” because “her acting was so wooden.” In response, Cumberbatch delivered a punch on the arm (in jest) that Knightley proudly received as a gesture of a friend having her back, claiming in an interview with Elle UK: “Everybody needs a friend like that.”
The Imitation Game is available for streaming on Prime Video.
