Brit of the Week

Samantha Morton (May 13, 1977) was born in Nottingham, England as one of three children in the Morton family. At age seven, Samantha was made a ward of the state and was shuffled in and out of foster homes for several years after. Under the influence of drugs, she threatened a bully and had to serve time in a juvenile facility. After a troubled childhood, Morton decided to make a change in her life. She focused her efforts on drama. She landed parts in several British series, but it was her role in 1999's "Sweet and Lowdown" which garnered her the attention of Hollywood (and an Oscar nomination). Since then she has had starring roles in "Minority Report", "In America" (her 2nd Oscar nom), "The Libertine", and "Elizabeth: The Golden Age". Up next: "John Carter of Mars" (with Mark Strong and Willem Dafoe) and "Banking on Mr. Toad" (with Ioan Gruffudd).

Brit of the Week

Benedict Cumberbatch (July 19, 1976) was born in London to actors Wanda Ventham and Timothy Carlton. He attended Brambletye School and then Harrow School. Before studying drama at the University of Manchester, he took a year off to teach English in a Tibetan monastery. After graduating from U of M, he trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. Benedict began his career on the stage, even being nominated for an Olivier Award. From there he did a lot of television ("Heartbeat", "Tipping the Velvet", and "The Ends of the Earth") and several films ("Amazing Grace", "Atonement", "The Other Boleyn Girl", and "Creation"). In 2010, it was his performance in the mini-series "Sherlock" that really put him on the map. Up next: Steven Spielberg's "War Horse" (with Emily Watson and David Thewlis), "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" (with Gary Oldman, Tom Hardy, Colin Firth, and Mark Strong), and the highly anticipated "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" (with Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis, and his "Sherlock" costar Martin Freeman).