FIRST LOOK: Benedict Cumberbatch cuts a brooding figure in dark shades as he is seen in character as troubled playboy Patrick Melrose in official preview image for new series

Published: 12:26 GMT, 24 November 2017 | Updated: 13:52 GMT, 24 November 2017

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He is set to star as troubled playboy Patrick Melrose in Sky Atlantic's new series of the same name.

And now fans have been given a first look at Benedict Cumberbatch in character, as an official image of him playing the role of Melrose has been released.

The actor, 41, is seen cutting a brooding figure in the still from the show while clad in dark shades and a tailored camel-hued coat.

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New role: Fans have been given a first look at Benedict Cumberbatch in character, as an official image of him playing the role of Patrick Melrose in Sky Atlantic's new series of the same name has been released

Patrick Melrose follows the fictional and infamous playboy based on the novel series penned by Edward St. Aubyn. It details the character's deterioration into substance abuse after a difficult childhood.

And already sparking an air of mystery around his new role, Benedict gives little away in the shot that sees him smartly dressed with a checked scarf draped loosely around his neck.

Each book will play out in one episode of the five-part series, set to air some time next year in 2018, and, framed around several intense days in Melrose's life, the series will jump from 1960s South France to 1980s New York to early 2000s Britain.

Eagerly awaited: The actor, 41, plays the fictional and infamous playboy based on the novel series penned by Edward St. Aubyn

Earlier this month, filming had taken place for the show in Glasgow, with the city centre being transformed into 1980s New York, as the streets were littered with bright yellow cabs for an added American touch.

As well as starring in the series, Cumberbatch is also an executive producer and had previously expressed his desire to take on the role of Melrose.

Speaking in a Reddit Q&A in 2013, he revealed that the literary character would be his choice of role to play.

Setting the scene: Cumberbatch had been pictured filming scenes for the series in Glasgow, with the city centre being transformed into 1980s New York for the show

Upcoming release: Each book will play out in one episode of the five-part series, set to air some time next year in 2018, and, framed around several intense days in Melrose's life

He will be joined onscreen by fellow big screen stars Hugo Weaving and Jennifer Jason Leigh.

Girls star Alison Williams is also set to take on a guest role in the series, as a woman Melrose encounters during his playboy years in New York, while Far From The Madding Crowd writer David Nicholls will pen all five episodes.

Fans will be surely be excited to see the star back on screen, though his most recent role has been delayed in light of the Harvey Weinstein scandal.

Involved: As well as starring in the series, Cumberbatch is also an executive producer and had previously expressed his desire to take on the role of Melrose - revealing in 2013 the literary character is one of his ideal roles to play

The Current War, in which the actor plays legendary inventor Thomas Edison, was scheduled for release in November, but the Weinstein Company picture has since been delayed to 2018.

Cumberbatch has enjoyed a number of major roles throughout his career including Marvel's Doctor Strange and Sherlock Holmes in the hit BBC series Sherlock.

The Oscar-nominated acting talent also has a stellar career in theatre to his name, but he has insisted in a recent chat with Interview magazine that while he is fully focused on any role he takes on, he makes sure to separate his work from his home life.

Loved-up: He is married to wife Sophie Hunter - the pair had tied the knot in a romantic ceremony held on the Isle of Wight in February 2015

Asked whether he brings his work home, Benedict replied: 'When I walk through that door, it's about home. If I didn't do that, I'd become consumed by one thing only and damage the people who love me... and it would damage the work.

He is married to wife Sophie Hunter - the pair had tied the knot in a romantic ceremony held on the Isle of Wight in February 2015.

They share two sons Christopher, two, and Hal, who was born in March earlier this year.

Speaking about fatherhood in an interview on This Morning, Benedict said: 'I'm still trying to prove myself as a dad.'

He had previously told Vanity Fair: 'It's massive [having a family]... and on a very unexpected level. Suddenly I understood my parents much more proudly than I ever had before.'

Family: They share two sons Christopher, two, and Hal, who was born in March earlier this year - speaking about fatherhood in an interview on This Morning, Benedict said: 'I'm still trying to prove myself as a dad'