Benedict Cumberbatch is isolating with his family at a luxury £1,700-a-night New Zealand lodge boasting a pool, tennis court and eight bedrooms
Benedict Cumberbatch is spending lockdown in a luxury £1,700-a-night lodge in New Zealand with his family.
The actor, 43, was filming his latest film The Power of the Dog in the country before lockdown measures were implemented.
Local fans have spotted him in Hawke’s Bay, a region on the east coast of the country’s North Island known for its beaches and wineries.
Lockdown uxury: Benedict Cumberbatch and his family are spending isolation in a £1,700-a-night bolthole in New Zealand
A source told The Sun: ‘When lockdown first started to be enforced he considered going back to the UK but he opted to stay in the country at the secluded property.
‘And with New Zealand loosening restrictions it won’t be long before they’re back filming.’
The bolthole boasts ten acres of land, a pool and pool house, spa, eight bedrooms and seven bathrooms.
Benedict is unlikely to get bored as the property also offers a tennis court and a large petanque court.
Scenic: The Hawke’s Bay lodge boasts ten acres of land, a pool and pool house, spa, eight bedrooms and seven bathrooms
Haylee Oliver, who saw the star recently, said: ‘Sometimes I forget that I work at a bougie winery, but today I was cruising by the winery restaurant on my tractor and saw Benedict Cumberbatch sitting there.’
The actor is isolating with his wife Sophie Hunter and his two sons Kit, five, and Hal, three.
The film The Power of the Dog, directed by Jane Campion, is based on Thomas Savage’s 1967 novel about two brothers in 1920s Montana who fall out when one of them gets married.
Halted: The Imitation Game star was filming The Power of the Dog in New Zealand before production was put on hold due to coronavirus
The star’s representative told MailOnline: ‘Benedict was advised to stay put. Filming shut down so close to the New Zealand lockdown that Benedict and Sophie decided to take that advice and not to risk 24 hours’ travel.
‘It was also out of consideration for how best to get the film completed for Jane Campion that he has stayed in accommodation that production helped to find and finance.
‘He is currently in pre-production and due to restart filming in June. Once that filming is complete he is looking forward to immediately returning home to the UK.’
Staying put: The actor is isolating with his wife Sophie Hunter and his two sons Kit, five, and Hal, three
It comes after Benedict and his wife finally finished rebuilding a semi-derelict cottage to create a five-bedroom retreat on the Isle of Wight.
The cottage is on the Dunsbury Estate, owned by relatives of Sophie.
The couple married on the island on Valentine’s Day in 2015.
The Imitation Game actor also appeared on BBC’s Big Night In last month, urging people to stay at home during lockdown.
Pulling out his best dad joke, the screen star quipped: ‘Home is where the heart is, well, I should know, I played Sherlock Holmes, ah it’s not even spelt the same!’