Benedict Cumberbatch recently shared his unexpected fears during the filming of his latest movie, The Thing with Feathers. The 49-year-old actor revealed that he was genuinely concerned a crow might “peck his eye out” while filming a scene that required the bird to eat food off his chest.
During an appearance on the television show Lorraine, Cumberbatch described the experience as “nerve-wracking.” To prepare for the scene, he had to wear a protective piece of plastic over his face as the crow hopped onto him. Cumberbatch expressed his apprehension, stating, “They carry this weight of story and myth in reality. You see them in the flesh and think, ‘Are you going to come and peck my eye out?’”
Despite his fears, Cumberbatch holds a deep admiration for crows. He described them as “extraordinary, magical birds” and noted their intelligence. His role in the film, adapted from Max Porter‘s poignant novel, Grief Is the Thing with Feathers, portrays a father grappling with the death of his wife. This intense subject matter adds a layer of complexity to his performance.
In addition to discussing his film, Cumberbatch opened up about fatherhood, revealing the challenges he faces while parenting his three children: Christopher (10), Hal (8), and Finn (6), with his wife Sophie Hunter. He admitted that while he generally tries to remain calm, certain “petty things” can push him to his limits. “I tend to be someone who stays calm, stays calm, and then it’s like, ‘Will you put that sock on!’ It’s just one thing that drives me over the edge,” he joked.
Earlier this month, Cumberbatch reflected on how fatherhood has affected his emotional responses. Speaking to The Times, he mentioned that becoming a father has made his emotions “paper thin.” He explained, “That’s what changes how you act when you become a father. It isn’t necessarily crossovers between your experience and the character’s; it’s that you become an unfettered channel to stuff that you weren’t before.”
Cumberbatch’s insights reveal not only the challenges of acting in intense roles but also the profound impact of fatherhood on his emotional landscape. With his ability to navigate both dramatic and personal experiences, Cumberbatch continues to captivate audiences both on and off the screen.
