Benedict Cumberbatch will follow in the footsteps of Liam Neeson, Jude Law and Dame Helen Mirren as a winner of the British Independent Film Awards' Variety prize.
Benedict Cumberbatchis to be honoured at British Independent Film Awards for his services to film and television. The actor, who is creating Oscar buzz for his portrayal of Alan Turing in The Imitation Game, will receive the Variety Award at the glitzy bash which takes place in London on December 7.
Benedict Cumberbatch plays Alan Turing in 'The Imitation Game'
The award coincides with the release of the movie, which is tipped as a potential winner of Best Picture at the Academy Awards. The BIFTA recognition will strengthen both the film and Cumberbatch's campaigns over in the U.S, though the British actor is already popular stateside.
More: is Benedict Cumberbatch actually related to Alan Turing?
"I am delighted to receive this prestigious award and would like to thank Variety and The Moët British Independent Film Awards for this incredible honour," said Cumberbatch.
"It is made even more special by the recognition of The Imitation Game in this year's nominations, a film I am very proud to be a part of."
Cumberbatch joins an illustrious list of former winners of the Variety Award, most notably Jude Law, Liam Neeson, Sir Michel Caine, Dame Helen Mirren, Richard Curtis and Paul Greengrass - all of whom have been received some form of recognition by the Academy.
Benedict Cumberbatch takes on Timothy Spall in the best actor category at the British Independent Film Awards
After studying drama at Manchester University at the London Academy of Dramatic Art, Cumberbatch gained early acclaim for his performance as Stephen Hawking in the 2004 BBC drama Hawking. The portrayal earned him his first BAFTA Award and he was rewarded with a role in Danny Boyle's stage production of Frankenstein.
Since then, the star has appeared in Atonement, War Horse, Star: Trek: Into Darkness, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, The Hobbit and 12 Years a Slave.
More: Benedict Cumberbatch stuns as Alan Turing in The Imitation Game
The British Independent Film Awards celebrate movies made for less than £20 million. This years' nominations for best picture were awarded to Calvary, Mr Turner, Pride, '71 and The Imitation Game.
In the best actor category, Cumberbatch will go up against Timothy Spall, who turned in a career best performance for his portrayal of JMW Turner in Mike Leigh's film.
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