Trivia: When British actor Benedict Cumberbatch signed for his first cinematic roles in the early 2000s, he immediately unveiled a proclivity -- and a gift -- for essaying a diverse array of characterizations. Cumberbatch began with BBC television productions, notably a supporting part in the lesbian-themed period drama Tipping the Velvet (2002) and the lead role of the brilliant, physically disabled scientist Stephen Hawking in the BBC telemovie Hawking (2004). Cumberbatch landed one of his first significant international crossover roles (and his first major big-screen assignment) as one of the leads in Michael Apted's arthouse hit Amazing Grace (2006) -- portraying William Pitt, an 18th century British prime minister who crusaded against slavery. While appearing on the British stage and in British television shows, Cumberbatch slowly built up an impressive résumé of supporting film roles. He had a small (but significant) part in Joe Wright's period drama Atonement (2007), and played William Carey, Mary Boleyn's husband in The Other Boleyn Girl (2008).In 2010, Cumberbatch took on his breakout role, playing Sherlock Holmes in a BBC series reboot. His career exploded after the show took off. He played The Necromancer/Smaug in The Hobbit trilogy, Khan in Star Trek Into Darkness, a plantation owner in 12 Years a Slave and nabbed his first true starring role playing Julian Assange in The Fifth Estate. In 2014 Cumberbatch portrayed the pioneering British mathematician Alan Turing in The Imitation Game, and his work earned him a Best Actor nomination from the Academy, the first nod of his career.

Trivia: Hampshire, England native Martin Freeman can be seen in a variety of television, theater, and radio productions, though he is probably best known for his role as Tim Canterbury in the BBC's award-winning sitcom The Office, and as everyman Arthur Dent in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005). Freeman's credits also include the British police comedy Hot Fuzz, a brief appearance in Shaun of the Dead, and the lead role in director Gavin Claxton's The All Together. In addition to his comedy roles, Freeman has turned in a number of dramatic performances, including a turn as Lord Shaftesbury in Charles II: The Power & the Passion, a 2003 BBC historical drama, and the legendary painter Rembrandt in Nightwatching (2007). In 2010 he had a hit on the small screen playing Dr. Watson to Benedict Cumberbatch's Sherlock, and two years later he took the pivotal role of Bilbo Baggins in Peter Jackson's adaptation of The Hobbit.

Trivia: Studied history in Cambridge University and did a year at the Lee Strasberg Institute in New York. Was deputy editor of the magazine 'Wonderland' until 2009. Has been writing about cinema and music since she was a teenager. Her role on Casualty was her television debut.

Trivia: Studied law at the University of Oxford, but declined a job at the law firm Slaughter and May after graduation, and chose to pursue a career in acting. Reached the final 3 in the first series of Sky One's Project Catwalk in 2006. Worked as a model for a year to raise money for drama school, applying without her parents' knowledge. Appeared in the play Turandot at the Hampstead Theatre in London in 2008. Sold the dress she wore to the 2013 BAFTA Awards for eBay's Big Charity 50, donating the money to Breast Cancer Care.

Trivia: Made his television debut in a 2002 episode of Brum. Made his professional theatre debut in a 2004 production of Hamlet at the Old Vic theatre.As of 2019, has starred as Leonard Finch in Grantchester since 2014. Nominated for the Best Male Lead Vocal Performance in a Video Game at the 2018 BTVA Video Game Voice Acting Awards, for his role in Zenobureido 2. In 2018, starred as James Edwards in miniseries Press.

Trivia: Comes from a long line of journalists – his father, grandfather and great-grandfather all worked for prominent London newspapers. Is a black belt in the Shaolin System Nam-Pai-Chuan of Kung Fu. Originated the role of Miss Trunchbull in the West End production of Matilda the Musical in 2011 and later transferred with the show to Broadway in 2013. While playing the role of Miss Trunchbull, he received fan mail addressed to "Ms Carvel," which he had framed. Is the voice for the Imperial Agent character in video game Star Wars: The Old Republic. Has twice won the Laurence Olivier Award, for his performance as Miss Trunchbull and as Rupert Murdoch in 'Ink'. Is Patron of the Globe Theatre's 'Playing Shakespeare' programme, run by their education department, which provides free theatre tickets and educational resources to secondary school pupils.