Why Benedict Cumberbatch fell for ‘oddball’ artist and his world of cats

Actor makes plea for tolerance of outsiders as his new film and a book explore the life of Louis Wain

He was known as “the man who drew cats” thanks to his humorous, hugely popular paintings of anthropomorphised felines, but Louis Wain struggled with schizophrenia and ended his life in an asylum. Now, on the eve of the release of a film about the artist, Benedict Cumberbatch has called for more compassion in society, urging kindness to “oddballs and outsiders”.

Cumberbatch, who plays Wain, has written the foreword to a forthcoming book about the artist in which he asks us to show “more love” for strangers and anyone who just happens to be different.

Related: Cat snap: Jane Bown's feline photographs

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