Benedict Cumberbatch has revealed that he helped to rescue a family from a herd of cows after learning how to wrangle cattle for his role in The Power Of The Dog.
The actor, who has landed an Oscar nomination for his role in the Netflix western, told Graham Norton he managed to ‘part the waves’ of animals in the field after returning from shooting the film in August.
Benedict, who played volatile ranch owner Phil Burbank in the film, also revealed that director Jane Campion encouraged him to stay in character during breaks from filming, and he spent two months living on a ranch to get into the role.
Hilarious: Benedict Cumberbatch has revealed that he helped to rescue a family from a herd of cows after learning how to wrangle cattle for his role in The Power Of The Dog
Benedict explained: ‘Jane encouraged me to stay in character. She was very secure about all the things I was insecure about and said, ”Do whatever you have to do to feel ownership of this very different lived experience.”
‘So, I went off to Montana for two months to find out what it is like to live on a ranch and to experience all those things you see in the film. It was incredible and so far from anything I have ever done.’
The Avengers star then revealed his newfound herding skills were put to use when he discovered a family trapped in a field thanks to an intimidating herd of cows.
Committed: The actor, who has landed an Oscar nomination for his role in the Netflix western, told Graham Norton he managed to ‘part the waves’ of animals in the field
He explained: ‘I came back from shooting the film in August and we were off to the beach. To get there we had to cross a field and in the field was a petrified family who just couldn’t move, they were frozen because of a herd of cows with calves. ‘
‘I thought, ”I can do this,” and I just sort of parted the waves of cattle. The family was like, ”That was incredible. Hey, aren’t you Sherlock?” It was very un-Sherlock activity!’
Benedict also briefly touched on his Oscar nomination for Best Actor, after The Power Of The Dog received a staggering 11 nods ahead of the ceremony next month.
Star: He said: ”I thought, ”I can do this,” and I just sort of parted the waves of cattle. The family was like, ”That was incredible. Hey, aren’t you Sherlock?” It was very un-Sherlock activity!’
Acclaimed: Benedict also briefly touched on his Oscar nomination for Best Actor, after The Power Of The Dog received a staggering 11 nods ahead of the ceremony next month
Star-studded: Also set to appear on Graham’s show are Drag Race icon RuPaul (left) and Normal People star Daisy Edgar Jones
He said: ‘Whatever happens on the night the whole raft of those nominations are so richly deserved and obviously I am thrilled that the four of us as a cast are nominated.
‘We are going to be awesome on that dancefloor – it’s going to be great no matter what happens.’
Benedict was a guest on the show alongside Years and Years frontman Olly Alexander, Normal People star Daisy Edgar-Jones, actor and director Diane Morgan, and Drag Race icon RuPaul.
Chic: Director Diane Morgan will also appear alongside Graham to discuss the second series of her show Mandy
In the psychological drama Benedict plays a secretive and cruel rancher whose brother brings home his new wife and her son to the families 1920s Montana ranch.
Kodi Smit-McPhee takes on the role as Peter Gordon who is tormented by Benedict’s conflicted cowboy character, Phil, while Kirsten Dunst plays Phil’s sister-in-law Rose, who descends into alcoholism thanks to the rancher’s torment.
The Power Of The Dog landed nominations for Best Actress, Achievement in Sound, Original Score, Adapted Screenplay, Supporting Actor, Film Editing, Cinematography, Production Design, Best Actor, Director and Best Picture.
Superstar: Olly Alexander from Years and Years joins Graham for a chat about his new single with Regard and his upcoming tour
The nomination for his role in the film will be Benedict’s second Oscar nomination after he was nominated in 2014 for his role in The Imitation Game, only to lose to Eddie Redmayne for as Stephen Hawkins in The Theory Of Everything.
South Australian actor Kodi, landed a spot in the best supporting actor category for his career-making turn.
Whilst the movie’s director Jane Campion, is the first woman to ever be nominated twice for Best Director, following her nod for 1993’s The Piano.
The Graham Norton Show airs on Friday 25th February on BBC One at 10.35pm and will be available on BBC iPlayer.
Out soon: The Graham Norton Show airs on Friday 25th February on BBC One at 10.35pm and will be available on BBC iPlayer (Olly and Regard are pictured during their performance)
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