Benedict Cumberbatch found himself in the middle of a polarizing debate recently when it was noted that the Sherlock actor had made a complaint that being “posh” may have lead him to not not be considered for certain types of roles over the course of his career.

This has been picked up and picked apart by many news sources including The Guardian, who published an article where they dissect the entire affair, decreeing that while posh bashing may indeed actually exist, it is a hard pill for many less privileged people to swallow.

However it may seem to the individual, there is no denying that type casting does go on, but it goes on for those with all aspects that make them prone to the practice as well. Fat people get fat roles, beautiful women get beautiful woman roles and actors who can do a mean French accent get French roles.

So it seems a bit on the silly side for an actor to complain of not being considered for non ‘posh’ roles is it not? If he fits the bill he fits the bill.

This would be a much easier debate if the first of The Hobbit movies had come out already, as playing a dragon named Smaug may prove that Cumberbatch is indeed a good enough actor to break the mold and step outside his usual roles.

Beyond this it seems silly to think that Cumberbatch should have any complaint with his work or his privileged background, but he does make a couple of statements about the controversy in a recent Radio Times issue:

“[I have been] castigated as a moaning, rich, public-school bastard, complaining about only getting posh roles.

It’s just so predictable. So domestic and so dumb.

‘It makes me think I want to go to America.’”

Bound for Baker Street or the States, the entire thing seems  a bit silly and  non point, especially as regardless of class, acting, although surely hard work in itself, seems ‘posh’ all in it’s own right when we are going to work everyday, regardless of our backgrounds.

(via Guardian)

Thomas Spychalski

Besides co-editing and writing for Cult Britannia with Christian, Thomas Spychalski has written for sister site Kasterborous and various Doctor Who fanzines and websites since 2006, as well as being featured in kasterborous’ first book Ultimate Regeneration.
Tom also writes a column called Fish Out of Water for a newspaper out of Texas in the states, as well as being the editor/owner of the up and coming paranormal website News From The Spirit World.
Future plans include fiction, a long term book project on the Amityville Horror and working on an informational website for storm phobics.