--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think the characters are supposed to be…" description: "\"I think the characters are supposed to be an open book, blank canvas.\" — Benedict Cumberbatch" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/357/benedict-cumberbatch-1156_blank_i-think-the-characters-are-supposed-to-b_2074970.jpg" --- # I think the characters are supposed to be an open book… ![“I think the characters are supposed to be an open book, blank canvas.” quote by Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/357/benedict-cumberbatch-1156_blank_i-think-the-characters-are-supposed-to-b_2074970.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/357/benedict-cumberbatch-1156_blank_i-think-the-characters-are-supposed-to-b_2074970.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/357/benedict-cumberbatch-1156_blank_i-think-the-characters-are-supposed-to-b_2074970.jpg) > “I think the characters are supposed to be an open book, blank canvas.” [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Characters should be open and adaptable, allowing actors to project personal interpretation onto a blank canvas. **In simple terms:** Treat characters as flexible foundations. Key Takeaway Approach roles with openness. Themes acting interpretation flexibility creativity Mood curious creative Type exploratory expressive When to use this quote - Stage performance - film casting - improvisation sessions Key Concepts Method acting character development Questions to Reflect On - What does a blank canvas enable you? - How do you avoid imposing too much? A Different Perspective Over‑interpretation can limit spontaneity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Blank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blank/) [Blank canvas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blank-canvas/) [Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) [Book Blank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book-blank-4023645/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Canvas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/canvas/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Characters Supposed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/characters-supposed-4023644/) [Open book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/open-book/) [Supposed Open](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/supposed-open-2445491/) [Supposed to be](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/supposed-to-be/) [Think Characters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-characters/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [“When one door closes another one is supposed to open but, if it doesn't you can always climb out the window”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/umknown/when-one-door-closes-another-one-is-supposed-to-open-but-if-it-doesn/) [umknown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/umknown/) > [I think in telling a good story there has to be ups and downs with any character, and you can't just have everything go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-sullivan/i-think-in-telling-a-good-story-there-has-to-be-ups-and-downs-with/) [Chris Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-sullivan/) > [Even when the characters are supposed to be accustomed to the wonder, I try to weave an air of awe and impressiveness corresponding to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-p-lovecraft/even-when-the-characters-are-supposed-to-be-accustomed-to-the-wonder/) [H. P. Lovecraft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-p-lovecraft/) > [It doesn't matter if these characters are supposed to be together forever: if their chemistry gets stale, you want somebody to die, you want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-plec/it-doesn-t-matter-if-these-characters-are-supposed-to-be-together/) [Julie Plec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-plec/) > [It would absolutely suck if you paid a few bucks for a book only to find that on the first page it said, 'Once…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-travaglia/it-would-absolutely-suck-if-you-paid-a-few-bucks-for-a-book-only-to/) [Simon Travaglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-travaglia/) > [I almost once wanted to publish a self help book saying, 'How To Be Happy, by Stephen Fry: Guaranteed Success'. And people buy this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-fry/i-almost-once-wanted-to-publish-a-self-help-book-saying-how-to-be/) [Stephen Fry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-fry/) > [But to me, the most important page in my daughter's book is the last one - because it's blank. It says 'Your Hero's Photo…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-meltzer/but-to-me-the-most-important-page-in-my-daughter-s-book-is-the-last/) [Brad Meltzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-meltzer/) > [Do not trust to luck, this book is blank. on the freshly pen you can write your success story.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mak-786/do-not-trust-to-luck-this-book-is-blank-on-the-freshly-pen-you-can/) [Mak\_786](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mak-786/) > [No matter how many awards you've won or how many sales you've got, come the next book it's still a blank sheet of paper…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-rankin/no-matter-how-many-awards-you-ve-won-or-how-many-sales-you-ve-got/) [Ian Rankin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-rankin/) > [I think everything you do, characters I always find, have their own voices and once you establish who that character is you find a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-ritchie/i-think-everything-you-do-characters-i-always-find-have-their-own/) [Guy Ritchie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-ritchie/) > [First of all, I never think of my characters as good or evil. I play them as honestly as I can. When you're playing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-haysbert/first-of-all-i-never-think-of-my-characters-as-good-or-evil-i-play/) [Dennis Haysbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-haysbert/) > [I don't tend to think of the characters i play as losers. I like the struggles that people have, people who are feeling like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-buscemi/i-don-t-tend-to-think-of-the-characters-i-play-as-losers-i-like-the/) [Steve Buscemi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-buscemi/) > [Basically, I think that there are some characters that you can just allow the truth of your character as a human being in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-james-olmos/basically-i-think-that-there-are-some-characters-that-you-can-just/) [Edward James Olmos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-james-olmos/) > [I think if characters change too much, it's unrealistic; their whole fabric of who they are as a person doesn't just disappear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-melfi/i-think-if-characters-change-too-much-it-s-unrealistic-their-whole/) [Theodore Melfi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-melfi/) > [I think characters are going to be, if not a reflection of the author, at least some refraction of some part of their personality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-think-characters-are-going-to-be-if-not-a-reflection-of-the-author/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) ## More by Benedict Cumberbatch > [We should have a conversation when we hang up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/we-should-have-a-conversation-when-we-hang-up/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [It's the same thing, I think, whether it's breathing or meditation or yoga. And running is a great way of doing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/it-s-the-same-thing-i-think-whether-it-s-breathing-or-meditation-or/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [Being someone who is of our sensual reality, Stephen Strange has a lifestyle, he has a sexuality, he's materialistic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/being-someone-who-is-of-our-sensual-reality-stephen-strange-has-a/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [If you have an over-preoccupation with perception and trying to please people's expectations, then you can go mad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/if-you-have-an-over-preoccupation-with-perception-and-trying-to/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [Being on set is quite difficult, because it's so big and you've got to try and relax, which isn't easy when you know you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/being-on-set-is-quite-difficult-because-it-s-so-big-and-you-ve-got-to/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [I know that might sound perverse because I played Julian Assange but, honestly, I don't think it would be fair for me to judge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/i-know-that-might-sound-perverse-because-i-played-julian-assange-but/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [Maybe it's just getting older, but I don't want to miss things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/maybe-it-s-just-getting-older-but-i-don-t-want-to-miss-things/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [I think playing any iconic role when you're stepping into big shoes, into the shadow of people who have come before you and you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/i-think-playing-any-iconic-role-when-you-re-stepping-into-big-shoes/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [ \[While voicing cartoons\] you have to lose your sanity and inhibitions and any kind of dignity and just throw yourself around a bit. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/while-voicing-cartoons-you-have-to-lose-your-sanity-and-inhibitions/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [I'm not very geeky. I'm quite homespun. I would say I'm more modern rustic than gadget-orientated. I like woollen things and log fires and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/i-m-not-very-geeky-i-m-quite-homespun-i-would-say-i-m-more-modern/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [This is an odd profession, and sometimes people get jealous, but I haven't really experienced any of that. Everyone's been really happy for me,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/this-is-an-odd-profession-and-sometimes-people-get-jealous-but-i/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [I can feel infinitely alive curled up on the sofa reading a book.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/i-can-feel-infinitely-alive-curled-up-on-the-sofa-reading-a-book/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [I think with any characterization there's a point where you empathize, no matter how much of a deviance his or her actions may be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/i-think-with-any-characterization-there-s-a-point-where-you-empathize/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [When are you ever settled enough to have kids?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/when-are-you-ever-settled-enough-to-have-kids/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [You have to sometimes just run with the problem rather than trying to solve it with hi-tech wizardry and lots of planning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/you-have-to-sometimes-just-run-with-the-problem-rather-than-trying-to/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) [Explore all 281 Benedict Cumberbatch quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) ## More Blank quotes > [I have often wondered how they manage to get return envelopes which miss, by one-quarter of an inch, fitting the blank you are supposed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-benchley/i-have-often-wondered-how-they-manage-to-get-return-envelopes-which/) [Robert Benchley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-benchley/) > [But that quickly faded, and he frowned. 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He may be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-chalmers/every-man-is-a-missionary-now-and-forever-for-good-or-for-evil/) [Thomas Chalmers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-chalmers/) > [The acting background helped a lot when I started writing. I was training for it. In acting class they teach you about the stakes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-higgins-clark/the-acting-background-helped-a-lot-when-i-started-writing-i-was/) [Carol Higgins Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-higgins-clark/) > [The American people reject the idea of giving Washington a blank check to increase the debt limit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-roby/the-american-people-reject-the-idea-of-giving-washington-a-blank/) [Martha Roby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-roby/) > [You wind up creating from silence, like painting a picture on a blank canvas that could bring tears to somebody's eyes. As songwriters, our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-atkins/you-wind-up-creating-from-silence-like-painting-a-picture-on-a-blank/) [Rodney Atkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-atkins/) > [“As I stare at the blank page, I am at once awash inwords but unable to find the ones I want to use.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-ryan/as-i-stare-at-the-blank-page-i-am-at-once-awash-inwords-but-unable-to/) [Carrie Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-ryan/) > [Staring at the blank page before you, Open up the dirty window, Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natasha-bedingfield/staring-at-the-blank-page-before-you-open-up-the-dirty-window-let-the/) [Natasha Bedingfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natasha-bedingfield/) > [Bullies enjoy dark happiness; these are the blank parts that eventually fill their minds with nothingness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-shanks/bullies-enjoy-dark-happiness-these-are-the-blank-parts-that/) [Emily Shanks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-shanks/) > [History is full of blank spaces, but good stories, invariably, are not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-sheridan/history-is-full-of-blank-spaces-but-good-stories-invariably-are-not/) [Sara Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-sheridan/) > [If men's minds were like dominoes, surely his would be the double blank.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-g-wodehouse-2/if-men-s-minds-were-like-dominoes-surely-his-would-be-the-double-blank/) [P. 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