by Tom Hiddleston’s Favorite Co-Stars: A Look at His Most Frequent Collaborators
[bg_collapse view=”button-orange” color=”#4a4949″ expand_text=”Show More” collapse_text=”Show Less” ]
While Tom Hiddleston has never explicitly stated which actors he enjoys working with the most, we can gain insight into his preferences by looking at the collaborations he keeps returning to throughout his career. Repeated partnerships often indicate a level of comfort, respect and creative synergy between performers. Through multiple joint projects spanning different mediums, some co-stars emerge as Hiddleston’s most frequent and arguably favorite collaborators. This article will examine three actors in particular who Hiddleston seems to enjoy working with based on the multiple projects they’ve had together – Benedict Cumberbatch, Chris Hemsworth, and Olivia Colman.
Benedict Cumberbatch
One of Hiddleston’s most notable and long-running partnerships has been with fellow British actor Benedict Cumberbatch. The two first crossed paths playing arch-nemeses in the Marvel Cinematic Universe – with Hiddleston as Loki and Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange. They’ve appeared alongside each other in four Marvel films so far: Thor: The Dark World (2013), Doctor Strange (2016), Thor: Ragnarok (2017), and Avengers: Infinity War (2018).
Their on-screen dynamic as the trickster god Loki and the sorcerer supreme Doctor Strange was one of the most compelling in the MCU. Both actors brought intensity, complexity and wit to their roles, making their clashes some of the most anticipated scenes. Off-screen, it’s clear Hiddleston and Cumberbatch developed a strong rapport and enjoyed working together, evident in their playful, joking interactions during press tours and conventions.
In addition to the Marvel movies, Hiddleston and Cumberbatch also collaborated on the 2016 miniseries “The Night Manager” based on the John le Carré novel. Hiddleston played the title role of Jonathan Pine, a former soldier who goes undercover to infiltrate the operations of an arms dealer, played chillingly by Cumberbatch. Once again, the two actors seemed to relish the challenge of portraying adversaries – with Cumberbatch the suave yet menacing villain to Hiddleston’s determined hero.
Reviews praised their intense performances and compelling chemistry, with many noting it was a joy to watch the talented actors verbally spar and match wits on screen. Off set, Hiddleston expressed great admiration for Cumberbatch, saying he “learned so much just from watching him work.” The miniseries as a whole was a critical success and both actors received Emmy nominations for their roles.
After collaborating on four blockbuster films and a lauded miniseries, it’s clear Hiddleston and Cumberbatch have developed an easy professional rapport and creative synergy. They seem to bring out the best in each other through the complexity of their roles, whether as adversaries or allies. Both are dedicated actors who raise each other’s game, making their projects together consistently stand out. If Hiddleston has a favorite co-star, Cumberbatch would certainly be high on the list based on the frequency and quality of their collaborations.
Chris Hemsworth
Another frequent collaborator of Hiddleston’s is Chris Hemsworth, with whom he’s shared the screen in four Marvel movies as well – Thor (2011), The Avengers (2012), Thor: The Dark World (2013), and Thor: Ragnarok (2017). As the adopted brother duo of Thor and Loki, Hiddleston and Hemsworth helped establish the foundation for the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe in their first outing.
Right from the start, their natural charisma and playful rapport was evident. Despite Loki and Thor’s sibling rivalry and clashes, it was clear Hiddleston and Hemsworth enjoyed a close off-screen friendship. They’ve expressed how playing brothers bonded them and made filming their intense scenes together very easy. Both are also noted for their commitment to physical training and action sequences, pushing each other to new heights with each film.
In the later Thor movies especially, their chemistry grew even more seamless as the films took on lighter, more comedic tones. Thor: Ragnarok in particular became a fan favorite due in large part to Hiddleston and Hemsworth’s hilarious comedic timing and improvisations as Loki and Thor. Directors have praised the actors’ willingness to try anything for a laugh. At conventions, it’s always a delight to see Hiddleston and Hemsworth’s good-natured ribbing of each other, a testament to their real-life friendship.
Outside of the Marvel universe, Hiddleston and Hemsworth also co-starred in the 2013 biopic “Rush” about the rivalry between Formula One drivers James Hunt and Niki Lauda. While their roles were more grounded than the cosmic superhero characters, the actors still managed to convey an intensity in their scenes together despite their off-screen friendship. Both Hiddleston and Hemsworth seem to view each other not just as co-workers but also good friends, always up for supporting one another’s projects. Their four Marvel outings together so far, spanning over a decade, indicate Hiddleston definitely enjoys working with and has a soft spot for his on-screen brother Hemsworth.
Olivia Colman
One of Hiddleston’s favorite female co-stars seems to be Olivia Colman, with whom he’s collaborated on two projects – the miniseries “The Night Manager” and the 2019 film “Godzilla: King of the Monsters.” In “The Night Manager,” Colman played the mysterious and manipulative arms dealer Angela Burr to Cumberbatch’s Richard Roper. Her character proved a formidable opponent to both Hiddleston’s undercover agent Jonathan Pine and Cumberbatch’s villainous Roper.
Reviews praised the complex dynamic between the three leads, with Colman’s character playing her own game against both men. Off-screen as well, it was clear Colman fit right in with Hiddleston and Cumberbatch, with the trio displaying an easy camaraderie during interviews. Hiddleston in particular expressed his admiration for Colman, calling her “one of the most exciting, surprising and committed actors” he’s ever worked with.
A few years later, Hiddleston and Colman were reunited for a smaller but pivotal role in “Godzilla: King of the Monsters.” Colman played Dr. Vivienne Graham, a scientist who aids the characters played by Hiddleston and Kyle Chandler. While a relatively brief role, Colman imbued her character with gravitas and complexity. Her scenes with Hiddleston conveyed an intensity between their characters despite their limited screen time together.
Both “The Night Manager” and “Godzilla” allowed Hiddleston and Colman to flex their dramatic chops in complex roles surrounded by A-list ensembles. By all accounts, they seemed to inspire each other to greater depths through their collaborations. Hiddleston clearly values working with actors who challenge him like Colman does, making their partnership one of his most artistically fulfilling. Her dedication and talents have undoubtedly made her one of Hiddleston’s favorite actresses to share scenes with.
Conclusion
While Tom Hiddleston hasn’t publicly declared favorites, looking at the projects he keeps returning to provides valuable insight. His collaborations with Benedict Cumberbatch, Chris Hemsworth and Olivia Colman span multiple genres from big-budget blockbusters to prestige television miniseries. Through these repeated partnerships, a few key themes emerge – Hiddleston clearly enjoys working with actors who inspire and push him creatively.
He also seems to value those who bring out his comedic side like Hemsworth, as well as dramatic heavyweights like Cumberbatch and Colman who challenge him. Most importantly, the palpable rapport and comfort Hiddleston has developed with these co-stars is evident. Their seamless on-screen chemistry stems from a foundation of mutual respect and friendship built over many joint projects. If forced to choose, these three performers would likely top Hiddleston’s list of favorite colleagues based on his enthusiastic, long-running collaborations with each of them. While new partnerships will surely emerge, Cumberbatch, Hemsworth and Colman have undoubtedly earned their place as Tom Hiddleston’s most frequent and favored co-stars.
[/bg_collapse]
