The British actor Benedict Cumberbatch said he will turn down a role if his female co-star isn’t paid the same, the gender paying gap becomes a real problem for the modern society, The Radio Times reported on Monday.
An imbalance in earnings between men and women in Hollywood is a problem, which needs to be solved as soon as possible, Benedict Cumberbatch believes. In his recent interview with Radio Times, Sherlock star and fervent feminists said:
“I’m proud that [partner] Adam [Ackland] and I are the only men in our production company; our next project is a female story with a female lens about motherhood, in a time of environmental disaster. If it’s centred around my name, to get investors, then we can use that attention for a raft of female projects. Half the audience is female!”
According to Mr Cumberbatch, actors of his level should boycott projects that do not pay the women the same amount as their male co-stars. An equal pay and a place at the table are the central tenets of feminism is an aim, the gender paying gap should be resolved as soon as possible in every industry and in every corner of the planet.
“Look at your quotas. Ask what women are being paid, and say: ‘If she’s not paid the same as the men, I’m not doing it.’”
Last year, a feminist Cumberbatch takes the title role in new Sky Atlantic series Patrick Melrose, The actor promised he would be using his profile, and his new production company, SunnyMarch, to champion more female-focused dramas. Patrick Melrose is the creation of writer Edward St Aubyn, whose five semi-autobiographical novels have now become a five-part Sky Atlantic drama adapted by One Day’s David Nicholls. Actually, it is the most anticipated drama of the year, don’t miss!
