Benedict Cumberbatch is a busy man. From epic Marvel films to intense and personal dramas. One of the world's most popular leading men is impossible to typecast. His latest is The Electrical Life of Louis Wain. Gentlemen's Watch spoke to 'm. "I used to want to challenge expectations, now it's just about whether I can last three months with the people I work with."

Text Jorrit Niels Image Amazon Studios, Jaeger-LeCoultre

Benedict Cumberbatch (45) has gone quite fast in the last decade. As a modern Sherlock Holmes, he became famous and as part of the Marvel universe in the form of Doctor Strange, he became world famous.

"I always try to be fearless and just throw myself into it."

Yet he also turns indies the back with the The Power of the Dog by director Jane Campion and now The Electrical Life of Louis Wain. Not to mention The Mauritanian with Jodie Foster that came out earlier this year, spy drama The Courier and the new Spider-Man, Spider-Man: No Way Home which is also running from December.

Cats

English artist Louis Wain (Benedict Cumberbatch) became famous in the late 19th century for his surreal paintings of cats. After the death of his father, Louis Wain tries to look after his five sisters and his mother as a freelance artist. He is lucky when Sir William Ingram, editor of Illustrated London News, offers him a job as an illustrator. His life takes another positive turn when Emily Richardson, his sisters' new governess, steps in. She becomes the love of his life and soon they take in a stray kitten they name Peter.

"Sometimes two to two and a half hours is really enough to tell a story"

It was unusual in the Victorian era to keep a cat as a pet, and the cat paintings Louis painted from then on are equally unusual. Wain wanted to inspire big and small with his unique look and enthusiasm. The film follows two important events in his life. The adoption of alley cat Peter and meeting the love of his life Emily (Claire Foy). Cumberbatch once again convinces as a sad genius.

On cats, Cumberbatch is immediately clear: "It's cute to see them go after a ball of wool, of course. However, try getting an adult cat to walk to a bowl of food. That regularly cost us half a shooting day."

We are not hugely familiar with him. Who was Louis Wain?

"Louis Wain was one of the most famous Victorian painters known for his anthropomorphic paintings and drawings of cats. Who took human form or undertook human activities. I have played characters that have really existed before and always feel a certain pressure in doing so. Even though Wain is probably not very well known to the general public."

What makes him so interesting?

"His artistry. I didn't actually know him before this project. I went into it very fresh. The fact that he went through so much and went through so much tragedy I found immensely interesting. His fans literally pulled him out of a mental institution when his work was rediscovered."

Moreover, as an amateur illustrator, you had a personal connection.

"I love drawing, but I do it far, far too little. I did use this film as an excuse to rekindle that passion. It is very striking that my preparation for the role and by approaching his way of drawing and working, I noticed that I started drawing better. It sounds a bit haunting, but maybe it sparked something or lowered a certain wall and I felt freer. One of Louis' signature techniques was painting with both hands simultaneously, I started doing that at some point. I always try to be fearless when it comes to trying new ideas and just throw myself into it."

What grabbed you most of all?

"Besides the sometimes abstract, psychedelic images of a cat, I was particularly taken by Louis' personality. Especially when I read about his life. I came to admire him as a human being, almost more than as a historical figure. I mean, first and foremost, he is known as the reason why people in the UK keep cats as pets. Before he started making these cute, funny cat statues, they were basically just seen as vermin."

The typical eccentric and misunderstood artist.

"More than that, he was someone who did not always fit easily or automatically into society. He struggled with mental illness throughout his life. He was born with a harelip and when he was a small child, he suffered from fevers, nightmares and hallucinations. Still, he found a way to live his life and make connections with those around him. Whether it was his wife, Emily, or the people involved in his work. I just found it an incredibly inspiring story. I felt he faced an almost unbelievable number of challenges, but he tackled them like a hero."

What do you hope people take away from the film?

"The film touches on sociological and political issues of the time, but above all, it is a beautiful love story and dares to address 'the importance of mental health.' Louis grew up with a certain amount of armour, but then he meets someone who really understands him and that armour falls away. He opens up to the world, but when that part is taken away, that armour comes back. It took him the rest of his life, I think, to remember how to be so open."

How does this film fit among your latest projects?

"I used to be all about challenging expectations and doing something unconventional to keep myself fresh. Especially because at one point I could be seen almost everywhere. I didn't want to be seen as a fast-talking posh Englishman all the time. That was back in the day. Now it's much more about the people I get to work with and whether I can last three months with them on a set."

This year, you have four films coming out and your own Doctor Strange sequel is already set for March next year.

"Pff, yes it's insane how much comes out. But oh well, that's how it goes sometimes, especially in these weird times. For some people, I'm sure it will feel like too much, but as long as I can stand behind the films and be proud of them, I can deal with it."

Even the Marvel movies?

"Yes, I'm honoured that people want to see more of Doctor Strange and I don't feel like those are films I must do. Or that it's a must do to get more arthouse-style projects off the ground. The films are seriously interesting to make."

And TV, is that something you want to go back to?

"It has helped me to be where I am today, by Sherlock. The miniseries Patrick Melrose was also insane. There is something very satisfying about holding onto a character longer and deeper. I am therefore very much looking forward to when we will soon have Netflix's Hitchcock classic The 39 Steps re-release as a miniseries. But at the same time, I hope audiences will continue to appreciate the charm of a good story told in two hours. Let's not try to make a series out of everything. Sometimes two or two-and-a-half hours is really enough to tell a story."

During COVID, much was left on the shelf, such as The Courier. An interesting thriller. Does it frustrate you that it then doesn't get the attention it deserves?

"It is frustrating that the release has been delayed, but there were more important things to worry about at the time. Still, I am very happy with the response I am getting. I'm very, very happy with the way people have reacted to it. I think it will find its place. I don't think my work has been wasted. Of course it's nice when it gets the place it deserves, but sometimes it just doesn't. Whether it's a small TV drama or a retrospective play that is insane but no one sees it except family."

Learned the hard way? (laughs) "That's the advantage of not suddenly being a big, successful and celebrated actor. I have had to fight hard and wait for my 'moment'. I do things that I choose carefully. The most important thing is that you can make sure you do everything to the best of your ability. You have no influence on the rest. That's how I've been doing it since my first acting job. So far, I think it has been nice and varied. As much as possible at a nice level."

Since The Current War in 2017, you also produce. What does that bring you?

"It helps to keep that level of me a little high! It's an opportunity to give life to special projects thanks to the popularity I enjoy. Not just to stroke my ego, because I am just as interested in developing material I am not in, as I am in projects that do provide a role. But wearing different hats at different times really appeals to me. Sometimes that can be a bit confusing, but I try to be a producer mainly during the preparations and pre-production. After that, I prefer to let it 'take over' so I can focus on acting. Except when I'm not too busy as an actor, because then I try to get involved in all sorts of things. Although then again, a busy family life doesn't help either. Oh well, those are mostly luxury problems..."

From 19 January available exclusively via Video on Demand at Pathe Thuis, Picl, Ziggo and KPN

Polaris

Benedict Cumberbatch has been an ambassador for watch brand Jaeger-LeCoultre for years. He regularly wears them in films, such as when he plays Marvel hero Doctor Strange. For now, we mainly see him being the face of the Polaris collection.

It started with the Memovox -voice of memory-, the watch brand's first alarm watch. A very practical feature, with one of the highlights being the 1968 Memovox Polaris. The original came out in 1965 and there was already a Memovox Deep Sea in 1959. But that '68 model with internal rotating diving ring and alarm is still for us the real deal. In 2008, the Memovox Polaris made a brief return with a limited edition; the Memovox Tribute to Polaris. The brand is now celebrating this pedigree again, we pick out two models.

In terms of looks, the Polaris Mariner Memovox and Polaris Mariner Date are pretty similar. The main difference: date or no date. Both have a Supercompressor-type steel 42mm case. The Polaris Mariner Memovox has an alarm function in addition to the time and date, and therefore an extra crown compared to the Date. For the Polaris Mariner Date, there is also that internal diving bezel and a date at 'three o'clock'.

Cumberbatch on his connection with Jaeger-LeCoultre: "In 2016, Jaeger-LeCoultre was just 'a' watch brand for me. I learned more about the brand after visiting the manufacture in the Vallée de Joux. Engraving and enamelling require hours of meticulous attention. I remember when a masterpiece by George Seurat called Bathers at Asnières was projected on a screen as big as the original painting. Not understanding what I was looking at, I turned around and saw that a lady was painting it on the back of a Reverso watch no bigger than a postage stamp. She did it with a brush barely bigger than a millimetre. I was immediately sold. Not to mention the countless complications." jaeger-lecoultre.com