Santa Fe New Mexican

‘Patrick Melrose’

Saturday on Showtime

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When centerpiec­e Patrick’s to Melrose” exceptiona­l on The “They live its head actor his Benedict journey are on best through of achievemen­t, who the Saturday, five life. Cumberbatc­h most from has novels With the given extraordin­ary an May perspectiv­e each by and abuse-fraught Sherlock 12. British at of says the the he of prose,” author heart Holmes five wants this childhood episodes of really Edward Cumberbatc­h to the and play subject unique Hamlet covering into St. a certain Aubyn, an matter character, new says adulthood one part, of images who was of the the who others a applied original of world found books, suffers overcoming listen. many that such Showtime “Melrose” so I much a of thought part addiction his stories. and debuts in own I Patrick goes knew experience­s and “Patrick “They’re on ... Melrose, struggling this turned an to the extraordin­ary an kind “When amazing of work. you blueprint journey That’s have books the to from work biggest that victimhood off,” are challenge that adds rich to Cumberbatc­h, of survivor, in this detail project, and and “and (is) have to a bring you champion that can it extraordin­ary to only the of ever screen his circumstan­ce hope depth and to give of try character, something to in do a way. justice you’ve back to that got to readers bring it who to a have wide already audience had who the haven’t most amazing yet read cinematic the books.” experience by just reading the novels ... as well as Jason Also Leigh an executive and Hugo producer Weaving of “Patrick play Patrick’s Melrose,” unsupporti­ve Cumberbatc­h parents, has and an impressive Allison Williams cast to (“Girls,” work with. “Get Jennifer Out”) appears as one of the women who crosses Patrick’s path. “it was so much fun to go back in time and get that sort of ’80s experience,” Williams says, “after having been firmly planted on ‘Girls’ for so many years, it was very fun to sort of reach back not so far and find that character.” Leigh reports she had read the “Melrose” novels and “didn’t think a film could be made of them. And then when I found out that Showtime was doing it and each one was going to be an hour, so you had all five of the novels each at their due time, it made sense – but it still didn’t seem doable. And then I read the adaptation, and it was so fine.” “Patrick Melrose” is a major checkmark on Cumberbatc­h’s profession­al bucket list, he maintains: “I can retire after this,” he muses. “This is me signing out. It really has been the most fantastic, rewarding, fulfilling, challengin­g, innovating and just wonderful experience.”

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 ??  ?? Benedict Cumberbatc­h stars in “Patrick Melrose,” premiering Saturday on Showtime.
Benedict Cumberbatc­h stars in “Patrick Melrose,” premiering Saturday on Showtime.

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