Benedict Cumberbatch Has Unexpected New Look in First Image from New ‘Brexit’ Drama

Despite the fact that the whole mess surrounding Britain’s impending departure from the European Union hasn’t even been properly sorted out yet, there’s already a TV adaptation in the works about it.

Upcoming Channel 4 drama Brexit aims to unpack the often stranger-than-fiction true life story of the run up to the landmark vote into a one-off television drama. And this is actually much less of a hot mess than you might expect, given the subject matter.

The feature is being written by playwright Jason Graham. Black Mirror’s Toby Haynes is on board to direct. And they’ve tapped Benedict Cumberbatch to star in it.

The Sherlock star will be playing Dominic Cummings, the leading strategist and campaign director behind the Vote Leave campaign. The film will reportedly follow perspectives from both the Leave and Remain sides, but Cumberbatch is certainly one of the biggest names involved with this project.

He’s also…really not looking great in the role. Aesthetically speaking.

If you have followed us here at Telly Visions for literally any length of time, you know how much it pains me to say this. I was an early adopter of the Cumbercraze, and in addition to appreciating his appearance, I also happen to think he’s quite a fine actor. But this is too much, even for me.

Channel 4 has released the first official image of Cumberbatch-as-Cummings and you can decide for yourselves if the resemblance is there or not. But that receeding hairline kiiiind of looks like the stuff of nightmares.