Sophie Hunter

Sophie Hunter appeared on TV and in film but was perhaps most respected for her theatre work. Growing up in England and Scotland she studied Modern Languages at the world renowned Oxford University. Utilizing her language skills to study theatre at the L'École Internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq before studying at New York's Saratoga Theatre Institute. Hunter had a varied career appearing in several British productions, making her TV debut as an actress on "Midsomer Murders" (ITV, 1997-) in 2004 before her first film appearance in "Vanity Fair" (2004), alongside Reese Witherspoon, and even releasing a French language album, The Isis Project, in collaboration with Guy Chambers in 2005. Hunter appeared in several high profile theatre productions but was more prolific behind the scenes, winning a Samuel Beckett ward for writing and directing experimental piece "The Terrific Eclectic" (2007) at the Barbican, London. Hunter continued to dabble in acting and starred in feature film "Burlesque Fairytales" (2009) where she first met fellow actor Benedict Cumberbatch. A director with Boiler Room, Broadhurst Theatre, Phantom Limb and co-founder of Lacuna Theatre Company further notable theater credits include Henry Ibsen's "Ghosts" (2010) at the Access Theatre, New York, an African tour of Mozart's "The Magic Flute" (2011), and "69º S." (2012), which used marionettes to tell the fateful story of Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackelton. On 5 November Hunter and Cumberbatch announced their engagement via the classified section in London's The Times newspaper.