Benedict Cumberbatch: ‘I’m nearly 50, so I’ve lived a bit – I’ve experienced grief’

Saturday, November 22, 2025

Morning everyone,

It's been a relatively quiet week in the culturesphere – except for the very sad news that Gary "Mani" Mounfield, best known as the bassist of the Stone Roses and later a member of Primal Scream, has died aged 63. His woozy, twisting bass was the fulcrum around which "Fool's Gold" revolved on the Stone Roses' eponymous debut album. He was an exceptional bassist. A colourful guy too. 

But what else was there this week? There was of course the launch of I'm a Celebrity, which is still pulling in the viewers despite a lacklustre lineup: it returned to ITV on Sunday with an average audience of 6.6 million viewers. The episode was ITV's highest overnight audience of 2025, the broadcaster said. 

There's a been a lot of chat about The Beast in Me, the Netflix thriller about an author with a psychopathic neighbour. I wrote about how no one cries with as much intensity as its star, Claire Danes, and how the series gives her free rein to embody misery yet again. On TV this week, too, was the Sky adaptation of Nick Cave's 2009 novel The Death of Bunny Munro. The story of one man's sordid descent into hell, the series stars a brilliantly vile Matt Smith, and is well worth checking out. We also had our TV critic, Nick Hilton, giving his verdict on Grace Dent's MasterChef debut. 

Elsewhere, we ran an excellent feature on Pluribus, Vince Gilligan's latest project that merges X-Files sci-fi with Breaking Bad prestige – and reunites him with Better Call Saul star Rhea Seehorn. They spoke to Jacob Stolworthy.

I also loved this interview with Kaya Scodelario, the British-Brazilian star of The Gentleman and Skins. She spoke to Annabel Nugent about playing perennial cool girl Effy Stonem, protecting young women on set, and her new film Adulthood.

Meanwhile, Louis Chilton had the pleasure of going to the Design Museum to write about a new show featuring a wealth of items from across Wes Anderson's idiosyncratic career. This exhibition of oddities might sound a little predictable, Louis wrote in his four-star review, but Anderson has always been more complicated than he's given credit for. 

More below, including Ellie Harrison's Saturday Interview with Benedict Cumberbatch. Have a lovely weekend, all. 

The New Zealand singer-songwriter's London show is a testament to her slightly all-over-the-shop discography, which has split her fandom into distinct factions, writes Adam White

Don't forget to complete your registration

You haven't completed your registration with The Independent. It's free, quick, and helps support our journalism while tailoring your experience.

Register now to enjoy benefits including access to limited Premium articles, The Independent app, more than 20 newsletters and commenting on independent.co.uk.

Complete your registration today to unlock access.

Wicked: For Good is more than just Hollywood franchise brainrot – it's timeless

With the new musical sequel poised to dominate the box office, 'The Wizard of Oz' seems as popular now as it was a century ago. Micha Frazer-Carroll looks at what sets L Frank Baum's eternal children's classic aside from the rest

I'm nearly 50, so I've lived a bit – I've experienced grief

Benedict Cumberbatch

"At The Independent, we've always believed journalism should do more than describe the world – it should try to improve it.

This Christmas, we're asking for your help again as we launch our new campaign with the charity Missing People – the SafeCall appeal.

Every year, more than 70,000 children in the UK are reported missing. The misery that follows – for the child, for the family, for the community – is often hidden. Too many of these young people have nowhere to turn when they need help most. SafeCall will change that. Our goal is to raise £165,000 to help Missing People launch this new, free service – designed with the input of young people themselves – offering round-the-clock support, advice and a route to safety."

Where to watch Wicked at home in the UK ahead of the sequel

Join the conversation and follow us

Download the free Independent app

Please do not reply directly to this email

You are currently registered to receive The Independent's Culture newsletter.

To unsubscribe from The Independent's Culture newsletter, or to manage your email preferences please click here.

This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345

Read our privacy policy and cookie policy