Benedict Cumberbatch will star in a Brexit drama for Channel 4 from Tessa Ross and Juliette Howell’s House Productions.

The Doctor Strange actor, currently starring in the Showtime and Sky drama Patrick Melrose, will front Brexit (working title), a political thriller written by playwright James Graham, best known for political plays such as The Vote and the recent Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? play Quiz.

Cumberbatch will star as Dominic Cummings, the leading strategist and Campaign Director of Vote Leave.

The one-off drama will unpack the anatomy of the historic, high-stakes campaign to win the hearts and minds of the British people and will be directed by Black Mirror’s Toby Haynes.

It was commissioned by C4’s Head of Drama Beth Willis and is exec produced by Howell and Ross and produced by Lynn Horsford. It will begin shooting later this year.

Graham says: “I’m so excited — not to mention a little nervous — to have this chance to try and get under the skin of what happened during that historic vote. I hope by going behind-the-scenes of the campaign, we’re able to interrogate the consequences of what happened during these eight weeks that have changed the country forever. To work with this incredible team and Channel 4 to bring this story to life on screen is a real honor.”

Willis adds: “James’ whip smart, funny and insightful writing is a breath of fresh air. We are so thrilled that he and the genius that is Benedict Cumberbatch feel Channel 4 is the right home for it – Brexit is exactly the kind of explosive and illuminating drama we want to have on the channel.” [Source]

Benedict Cumberbatch is returning to the Cold War. He’ll play a spy in the thriller “Ironbark.”

FilmNation Entertainment is financing and handling international sales on the film.

The movie is based on the true story of Greville Wynne (played by Cumberbatch), a British businessman who helped the CIA penetrate the Soviet nuclear program during the Cold War. Wynne and his Russian source, Oleg Penkovsky, provided the crucial intelligence that ended the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Dominic Cooke will direct and executive produce with Cumberbatch and Tom O’Connor. The project is based on a spec script by O’Connor.

FilmNation will debut “Ironbark” to buyers at the Cannes Film Market next week. UTA Independent Film Group will handle U.S. sales.

42’s Ben Pugh and Rory Aitken will produce the movie, alongside Adam Ackland (“Patrick Melrose”), SunnyMarch, and FilmNation. Cumberbatch, Cooke, and O’Connor will executive produce along with Josh Varney from 42 and Leah Clarke of SunnyMarch. The deal was negotiated by UTA Independent Film Group on behalf of the filmmaking team with Alison Cohen for FilmNation. [Source]

Benedict Cumberbatch has taken on some iconic roles in his career, from Sherlock Holmes to Doctor Strange, but he says his most meaningful might be his latest.

Cumberbatch plays the title character in new Showtime miniseries “Patrick Melrose,” which is based off a book series by Edward St. Aubyn. At the show’s premiere on Wednesday night, he told Variety that the show was “a passion project.”

“These are some of the greatest moments of 21st century prose, and to be a part of dramatizing that is a real treat,” Cumberbatch said of the “Patrick Melrose” novels. “This is a hell of role, and a hell of a stretch for any actor, and a hell of an opportunity for me, and I just hope we’ve done the books justice, so we’ve done something that has the same following and integrity the books do.”

The “Sherlock” star revealed his journey with the project started five years ago, when he said in a Reddit Q&A that he dreamed of taking on the character of Patrick Melrose. Days later, he met with producers and signed on to star, also taking on an executive producer title for himself.

“Patrick Melrose” costars Allison Williams and Jennifer Jason Leigh were also on hand at the premiere, held at the Linwood Dunn Theater in Los Angeles. The five-part series follows the life of Patrick Melrose, who experiences a privileged but traumatic childhood that leads him to heavy substance abuse and eventual recovery in his adulthood.

Leigh said she was a big fan of the books, but “didn’t think it was possible to adapt it, ever.” After reading the script, written by David Nicholls, she said, “it was like the book came to life in such a beautiful way; I have no idea how he did it.”

Benedict Cumberbatch attends the for your consideration event for Showtime’s ‘Patrick Melrose’at NeueHouse Hollywood on April 26, 2018 in Los Angeles. You can go to the gallery to take a look to the photos.

Benedict Cumberbatch attends the premiere of Showtime’s ‘Patrick Melrose’ at Linwood Dunn Theater on April 25, 2018 in Los Angeles. You can go to the gallery to take a look to the photos.

Benedict Cumberbatch attends CinemaCon 2018 Warner Bros. Pictures Invites You to The Big Picture, an Exclusive Presentation of our Upcoming Slate on April 24, 2018 in Las Vegas. You can go to the gallery to take a look to the photos.