Benedict Cumberbatch: 5 Awesome Performances & 5 That Sucked

1. Sherlock Holmes - Sherlock (2010-)

As alluded to in the Strange point, Cumberbatch has a certain, tangible strangeness and theatricality that works perfectly for characters on the oddness spectrum, and they don't come more well-suited than Sherlock Holmes.

His strangeness in this case is timeless: Holmes' aloofness transformed into something almost medical, but still tinged with charm and empathy and the classical build of the character. It is almost definitive, which is ridiculous considering how many actors have played the part in the past, and it's certainly the most layered of all of the modern iterations.

Alongside Martin Freeman, Cumberbatch has built a warming chemistry that is comforting and charming in equal measure, with dark shards cutting across it that add complexity and intrigue. It's a complete performance, eminently watchable and infectious and the final testament to its success is how much clamour there always is to see more of it.

And now on to the poorer performances...