Benedict Cumberbatch could be forced to pay reparations due to slave-owning ancestors

There’s been a renewed push to force Benedict Cumberbatch to pay reparations due to his slave-owning ancestors in Barbados.

Actor Benedict Cumberbatch faces a compensation claim over his slave-owning ancestors.

His family once ran a plantation with 250 slaves on Barbados, which now wants reparations.

The Doctor Strange star’s seventh great grandad, Abraham, bought the land in 1728 — and made a fortune from it over the next 100 years.

But David Denny, who leads the fight for compensation, said: “Any descendants of white plantation owners who’ve benefited from the slave trade should be asked to pay reparations, including the Cumberbatch family.

“The money should be used to turn the local clinic into a hospital, support local schools, and improve infrastructure and housing.”

Stream more entertainment news live & on demand with Flash. 25+ news channels in 1 place. New to Flash? Try 1 month free. Offer available for a limited time only >

Benedict Cumberbatch. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue)

Cumberbatch’s ancestors were said to have been paid $11,000 compensation, the equivalent today of $6.4 million, when slavery was abolished in the 1830s.

He previously admitted his mother had encouraged him not to use his real name as an actor over concerns at the family slavery links.

Cumberbatch played a plantation owner in 12 Years a Slave.

And the 46-year-old was said to have taken the role of William Pitt the Younger in Amazing Grace, a film about Britain ending the slave trade.

He has suggested he took the part by way of apologising for his family’s history.

This article was originally published by The Sun and reproduced with permission