Cumberbatch and Colman team up to play a couple at war
Consider This from NPR
NPR
4.2 • 6.2K Ratings
🗓️ 1 September 2025
⏱️ 10 minutes
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Summary
So many movies are made about the beginning of a relationship. That first spark of attraction. That first kiss.
The new dark comedy “The Roses” is about the other end – when it's all falling apart.
Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman star as Theo and Ivy, a couple who was once very much in love. Two children and a transatlantic move later, they’re now struggling to save their marriage.
No one thinks it’s going to work – including their therapist.
Cumberbatch and Colman sit down with host Mary Louise Kelly to discuss how they leveraged their real-life friendship to play two people who love to hate each other.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | There are loads of movies out there about the beginning of a relationship, that first spark of attraction, that first sweet kiss. |
| 0:07.8 | Well, how about a movie that tackles the other end when it's all falling apart? |
| 0:12.4 | Okay, so today's session, the ten things you love about each other. |
| 0:17.2 | Theo, you first? |
| 0:19.0 | Sure. |
| 0:20.2 | One, I would rather live with her than a wolf. |
| 0:24.0 | Did you say wolf? |
| 0:26.1 | Yeah. |
| 0:26.8 | Wow. |
| 0:28.6 | One, he has arms. |
| 0:31.6 | Well, I saw a documentary once about a man without arms, and it looked like a difficult life, |
| 0:35.4 | particularly for the partner, so... |
| 0:37.3 | That's Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Coleman as Theo and Ivy, husband and wife, architect and chef, |
| 0:43.1 | and the new dark comedy, The Roses. The couple was once very much in love, but two children and a |
| 0:49.8 | transatlantic move later, they're now struggling to save their marriage. No one thinks it's going to work, including their therapist. |
| 0:57.1 | I don't think you have the capacity to fix your problems. |
| 1:01.7 | Are you actually allowed to say that? |
| 1:05.0 | That seems unprofessional. |
| 1:06.3 | Yes, like mild practice. |
| 1:08.3 | No. |
| 1:09.4 | We'll be expecting a hefty discount. |
| 1:11.4 | Time's up. |
... |
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