Benedict Cumberbatch Covers Up While Surfing in the Costa Rican Sun

Benedict Cumberbatch Masters the Waves in Costa Rica Getaway

Benedict Cumberbatch, the 48-year-old Doctor Strange star, traded Hollywood sets for surfboards during a sun-soaked escape to Costa Rica with his wife, Sophie Hunter. Exclusive photos captured the actor effortlessly riding waves, showcasing skills that rival his on-screen prowess. Sporting a floppy hat, colorful knee-length shorts, and a long-sleeved blue top for sun protection, Cumberbatch appeared every bit the seasoned surfer.

Cumberbatch impressed onlookers with his balance and confidence on the board.

An eyewitness noted, “He looked totally at ease, like he’d been surfing his whole life.” Sophie, an avant-garde theater director, also joined in, with observers praising the couple’s “natural balance on the water.”

From Acting to Adrenaline
Though Cumberbatch only took up surfing in his mid-40s, he likens it to his craft: “It’s not just a hobby—it’s akin to acting. There’s drama, turmoil, but also moments of zen.” The BAFTA winner, who admits to enjoying “living on the edge,” has dabbled in skydiving and snowboarding. His thrill-seeking streak traces back to a harrowing experience in his 20s: while filming in South Africa, he was kidnapped at gunpoint. The ordeal, he says, turned him into an “adrenaline junkie,” though fatherhood has since tempered his daring pursuits.

Sophie Hunter, Cumberbatch’s wife of 10 years, joined him on the Costa Rican adventure.

Career Highlights and Upcoming Projects
Best known as Sherlock Holmes and Marvel’s Sorcerer Supreme, Cumberbatch has built a £30 million fortune through roles in The Power of the Dog and the Avengers series. Next, he’ll star alongside Olivia Colman in The Roses, a dark comedy remake of The War of the Roses, set for release this September.

Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange, a role he’ll reprise in Avengers: Doomsday.

Family Life and Reflections
The actor, a father of three sons, reflects on parenthood: “The minute you have kids, time sinks in more profoundly.” Married to Hunter since 2015, he credits her multilingual flair (she speaks French and Italian) and shared love for the arts as cornerstones of their relationship.

Despite his fame, Cumberbatch rejects the “typical movie star” label, embracing mindfulness and Buddhist philosophy. He’s also vocal about social issues, advocating against toxic masculinity: “We need to fix the behavior of men.”

A Lifelong Performer
From his Emmy-winning turn in Sherlock to blockbuster fame, Cumberbatch remains grounded. Even a regretted 2016 role as a non-binary model in Zoolander 2 hasn’t dimmed his reputation. As he surfs into new challenges—both on and off-screen—his mantra endures: embrace the chaos, find the zen.

Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman on set for The Roses.

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