Benedict Cumberbatch Admits Non-Binary ‘Zoolander 2’ Character Backfired

Actor Benedict Cumberbatch has reflected on playing a non-binary role in the 2016 film Zoolander 2, admitting it was a mistake.

Cumberbatch played the role of transgender super model All in the sequel, which drew huge backlash at the time from critics who believed the role should have been played by a transgender actor.

Speaking to Variety as part of their Actors on Actors series, Cumberbatch admitted if he was offered the same role today he wouldn’t take it.

“There was a lot of contention around the role, understandably now. And I think in this era, my role would never be performed by anybody other than a trans actor,” he said.

“But I remember at the time not thinking of it necessarily in that regard, and it being more about two dinosaurs, two heteronormative clichés not understanding this new diverse world.”

“It backfired a little bit. But it was lovely to meet you in that brief moment and to work with Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson,” he added.

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