Cumberbatch and Colman team up to play a couple at war

Consider This from NPR

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🗓️ 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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