Last night as I was enjoying watching Scott Bakula in NCIS: New Orleans, CBS ran a commercial for the Hollywood Film Awards, which will be televised for the first time on Friday, November 14. It's hailed as the opening act for awards season, and it's getting much more publicity this year because it will be broadcast. What caught my eye, however, was Benedict Cumberbatch among the many stars whose images are being used to promote the show and, presumably, attract a wide television audience. More fortuitously, his image flashed on the screen during the voiceover announcing "some of your favorite stars".
While this brief image, which doesn't even list Cumberbatch by name, might seem to be a "so what?" moment, it really has a bit more importance concerning his career. It's yet another measure that U.S. national television networks, not just PBS or BBC America, consider this actor to be a star who, in a 30-second spot, will attract a viewing audience. It also may presage Cumberbatch receiving an award. After all, his name was listed a few days ago among the most recent attendees.
At the very least, Cumberbatch fans have another award show to watch and yet another red carpet to check out.
I was surprised that it hasn't received more press, but Benedict Cumberbatch received a best actor nomination for The Imitation Game, as announced by the British Independent Film Awards. Again, it may not be the biggest of all film awards, but it is prestigious and hints that even more nominations for this role are on the way. My favorite quotation came from The Hollywood Reporter: "In terms of big stars, it is down to The Imitation Game to bring home the BIFA bacon, with Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightley getting best actor and actress nominations." As I mention in the book, although fans may have considered Cumberbatch a star from the get-go, within the past year and, especially, his work as Alan Turing, he's routinely termed a star (or a "big star") by more than the entertainment media. Critics, reviewers, and the boards who determine the awards are increasingly aware of his presence, talent, and increasing clout within the film, television, and theatre industries in particular.
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