Get Your First Look at Benedict Cumberbatch in Louis Wain Biopic

(Photo: STUDIOCANAL/FILM4)

Benedict Cumberbatch has an array of intriguing roles in the works, but one of the most interesting has to be The Electrical Life of Louis Wain, a biopic that features both vibrant art and multiple cats. (My dream? My dream.)

The Sherlock star will portray the real-life Wain, who was known for his surreal paintings of anthropomorphic cats with freakishly large eyes and ambiguous meanings behind them. The film will focus on the artist's unique outlook on life, and his relationship with his wife Emily Richardson (played by The Crown's Claire Foy). Your mileage may vary when it comes to how you feel about the dramatic facial hair Cumberbatch is sporting for this role.

The official synopsis promises us a "sweeping tale", describing the film as "the extraordinary true story of a brilliant man, inspired by both his love of the world and the love of his life Emily".

(Photo: STUDIOCANAL/FILM4)
(Photo: STUDIOCANAL/FILM4)

"Famous for his distinctive paintings of cats that inspired hearts and minds around the world, Louis Wain is a loveable, inspirational hero with a courageous and infectious spirit, who saw the world in a unique and delightful way throughout his long life full of adventure, inspiring people to do the same."

The film's ensemble cast is a murderer's row of talent that includes Toby Jones, Fleabag star Jamie Demetriou, The Mighty Boosh's Julian Barratt, and The Witness for the Prosecution actress Andrea Riseborough. 

Production began in late 2019, and the film is slated to arrive in theaters in the second half 2021. 

(Photo: STUDIOCANAL/FILM4)
(Photo: STUDIOCANAL/FILM4)

Cumberbatch has multiple feature projects in the work this year outside of his recurring role as Doctor Stephen Strange in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. (Sequel Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnesis set to arrive in 2022.) Recently cast in a television remake of Hitchcock thriller The 39 Steps, he's currently starring in Cold War espionage thriller The Courier

What do you think of the look of The Electrical Life of Louis Wain? Is the combination of Cumberbatch and cats your kryptonite? Let's discuss in the comments.


Lacy Baugher

Lacy's love of British TV is embarrassingly extensive, but primarily centers around evangelizing all things Doctor Who, and watching as many period dramas as possible.

Digital media type by day, she also has a fairly useless degree in British medieval literature, and dearly loves to talk about dream poetry, liminality, and the medieval religious vision. (Sadly, that opportunity presents itself very infrequently.) York apologist, Ninth Doctor enthusiast, and unabashed Ravenclaw. Say hi on Threads or Blue Sky at @LacyMB. 

More to Love from Telly Visions