The Charming Benedict Cumberbatch Quiz

Answer: Wanda Ventham

His father acted under the name of Timothy Carlton and Benedict, whose full name is Benedict Timothy Carlton Cumberbatch, considered using the last name of Carlton for his own career before deciding to use his real name. His mother appeared in the television series 'UFO', which ran on British television from 1970 until 1973 and also played the role of Cassandra's mother in 'Only Fools and Horses'. Wanda played the female lead in 'The Lotus Eaters', another 1970's television series, in which Timothy Carlton also appeared.

The couple were featured together in the third series of 'Sherlock', playing Sherlock's parents opposite their real life son.

Answer: Harrow

Public schools in the UK are actually private, fee paying educational establishments. Benedict went to boarding school at the tender age of eight, moving on to Harrow, one of the best known British public schools. He then became a drama student at Manchester University before completing his acting training in London. Apart from Churchill and Blunt, other Old Harrovians include Lord Byron, the poet, and Tony Nash, who won a gold medal in bobsleigh with his partner, Robin Dixon, in the 1964 Winter Olympics, held in Innsbruck.

Answer: University Challenge

The film depicted Brian Jackson's first term at university, and his attempts to win the girl of his dreams and join the team for the television show 'University Challenge'. Jackson was played by James McAvoy, with Benedict portraying Patrick, the pompous and geeky captain of the team. With other roles played by Dominic Cooper, Alice Eve and James Corden, the film featured many of the UK's promising actors of the time.

The role of Bamber Gascoigne, the quizmaster, was taken by Mark Gatiss, sporting a curly, blond wig. Gatiss would go on to both co-write and perform in 'Sherlock', playing the role of Mycroft Holmes, Sherlock's brother.

Answer: Stephen Hawking

The series was set in 1963, when Hawking was only twenty-one, and just beginning to feel the effects of the motor neurone disease which was to devastate his life. He has also just met Jane Wilde (played by Lisa Dillon), who became his wife. The show dramatised Hawking's struggles with the disease and his early work on the scientific theories which gave him fame. Lovell and Moore were both British astronomers, and Einstein needs no introduction.

Answer: Atonement

McAvoy played the role of Robbie Turner, in love with Keira Knightley's character, with Cumberbatch portraying Paul Marshall, the rather unpleasant friend of Knightley's brother. The film was based around the disaster caused by Knightley's younger sister who, through jealousy and naivety, managed to ruin the lives of both her sister and Robbie. Benedict appeared in 'War Horse', based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo, and in 'The Other Boleyn Girl', adapted from the book written by Philippa Gregory. 'The Last Station' (2009) featured McAvoy and was based on Jay Parini's book about the final days of Trotsky's life.

Answer: Jonny Lee Miller

The play ran at the Royal National Theatre from February until May 2011, and was directed by Danny Boyle, who was the director of the films 'Slumdog Millionaire' (2008) and 'Trainspotting' (1996) among many others. Boyle also created the acclaimed opening ceremony of the London Olympic Games in 2012.

The play told the story of the creature created by Frankenstein and the tragic consequences. Benedict and Jonny Lee Miller played both parts in turn in different performances. Ironically, both actors have played the role of Sherlock Holmes, with Jonny Lee Miller performing in 'Elementary,' which began in 2012 on the CBS channel.

Answer: Ford

The film was based on the true story of Solomon Northup, a free man who was kidnapped and sold as a slave in 1841. The film was directed by Steve McQueen and starred Chiwetel Ejiofor as Solomon. Benedict played William Ford, the first man to own Solomon. Although treated well by Ford, Solomon was sold to the unpleasant Edwin Epps, played by Michael Fassbender, where his life took a much bleaker turn.

Benedict's own ancestor, Abraham Cumberbatch, was a slave owner on a sugar plantation in Barbados in the eighteenth century.

Answer: Airline pilot

The show featured Benedict as an incompetent pilot, who only got the job as he was prepared to work for no pay, provided he could be captain. Consequently, he has a second job as a delivery driver to earn some money. His First Officer, played by Roger Allam, was a good pilot, but had been fired from his previous job due to his smuggling activities.

The cast was completed by Stephanie Cole, who owned the aeroplane, the only one the company possessed, and John Finnemore, the flight attendant (and son of Cole's character), who also wrote the scripts.

Answer: Parade's End

The novels were adapted for television by Tom Stoppard, and were originally published between 1924 and 1928. The series was set during World War One, and focused on the unhappy marriage between Tietjens and his unfaithful wife, Sylvia. Rebecca Hall, who had also appeared with Benedict in 'Starter for 10', played Sylvia, with Adelaide Clemens as Valentine, with whom Christopher fell in love. 'The Last Enemy' was a 2008 television series which featured Benedict and Max Beesley and 'Third Star' was a low budget film from 2010, with Benedict playing James, who was dying from cancer. Benedict portrayed Julian Assange in the 2013 film 'The Fifth Estate'.

Answer: Khan

Hollywood, a British actor and a blockbuster film usually adds up to 'villain', and this was no exception. Cumberbatch played Khan Noonien Singh, who had previously been portrayed by Ricardo Montalban in 1967 and 1982 in earlier 'Star Trek' films. His character was given the name of Commander John Harrison to disguise his true identity. Khan had been brought out of suspended animation by the starfleet commander in chief, Marcus, to provide an excuse for war. Kirk was played by Chris Pine and Spock by Zachary Quinto. McCoy was portrayed by Karl Urban, who was Eomer in the 'Lord of the Rings' films.