Meet Benedict Cumberbatch’s artistic and supportive wife, Sophie Hunter: the Sherlock star met his award-winning theatre playwright and director other-half on set, and they share 3 kids together

Jul 27 , 2024

Hollywood star Benedict Cumberbatch’s wife, Sophie Hunter, is an award-winning theatre playwright and director – so what else do we know about her? Photo: Getty Images

After meeting on set in 2009, the pair tied the knot 6 years later on the Isle of Wight at a historical estate whose former owners are said to be distant relatives of the Doctor Strange star’s wife

The 46-year-old attends red carpet premieres, film festivals, galas and Wimbledon matches with her A-list hubby – and once had a part in the 2004 film Vanity Fair alongside Reese Witherspoon

While she may be known by many as the wife of beloved British actor Benedict Cumberbatch, who recently starred in Netflix thriller TV miniseries Eric, Sophie Hunter is accomplished enough in her own right. The Doctor Strange star’s spouse is, in fact, a celebrated theatre director, playwright and actress.

Sophie Hunter attends the 65th BFI London Film Festival at The Royal Festival Hall in London, England, in October 2021. Photo: Getty Images

Hunter has a slew of both acting and producer credits, including roles in various TV series and a part in the 2004 film Vanity Fair alongside Reese Witherspoon.

So what else is there to know about the 46-year-old?

Sophie Hunter comes from a distinguished English family

Sophie Hunter and Benedict Cumberbatch tied the knot in February 2015. Photo: AP

Per the Telegraph, Hunter hails from a “distinguished family line”. Her maternal grandfather was General Sir Michael James Gow, a senior officer in the British army who went on to become commander-in-chief of the British Army of the Rhine and Commander of Northag, the Northern Army Group of Nato. He was so high up in British society that he had dealings with both Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester in the 1950s, as well as the queen in the 1980s.

As is common among British high society, Hunter went to Oxford University where, according to People, she studied French and Italian.

She met Benedict Cumberbatch on set

Benedict Cumberbatch’s wife Sophie Hunter comes from British high society. Photo: EPA

The Imitation Game actor and the Midsomer Murders actress met each other on the film set for the fairy tale thriller Burlesque Fairytales, per People. That was back in 2009, but the couple didn’t get serious until years later. They were seen in public for the first time in 2014 at the French Open.