Benedict Cumberbatch was doing press at the TCA Winter Event for Sherlock. Cumberbatch was joined by Steven Moffat and Amanda Abbington, who is Martin Freeman’s real-life partner and now his on-screen partner too. Apparently, PBS is really pleased with the Season 3 debut of Sherlock – they got 4 million viewers, and I’m betting that the number goes up next Sunday too. There’s a lot of major coverage from this press conference, and it’s one of the most-read posts on THR, Buzzfeed and Today. Cumby has arrived! And people love Sherlock. So, here are some highlights from the panel discussion:
There will definitely be a season 4: “I’ve commissioned it,” Cumberbatch told reporters matter-of-factly. “It will continue until Benedict gets too famous,” Moffat said, half-joking.
How Benedict feels about his Cumberbitches: ” Guilty, first of all, because I was late, and I had to run past them and say, ‘I’m on a tight schedule’. But it’s extraordinary, really, and a little unnerving. I do feel that it has to be acknowledged, and I know that feeds the whole thing, but I’m a human being, and I have to acknowledge that they are so devoted and committed, and by and large intelligent and, for the most part, normal and committed to something I really love doing and a character I love playing. It means a hell of a lot to me. I think a lot of it comes with who he is. He’s a very iconic figure.”
Did Benedict and Andrew Scott really kiss? “We got the idea from the palpable chemistry between Benedict and Andy [Andrew Scott],” Moffat said, crediting executive producer Mark Gatiss for coming up with the idea. “I’ve done something slightly cheeky,” Moffat recalled Gatiss telling him. “I roared with laughter.” The scene, which featured Moriarty and Sherlock laughing off the tense phone call with John, saw the two nemeses inch closer in a presumed kiss. “We cut it before contact, and indeed, sex, because that was wrong,” Moffat joked. And sorry Sherlock fans, Cumberbatch said he and Scott “didn’t actually connect.”
Adding Mary to the mix: “If you have a female perspective on the two men, it’s very, very funny and very illuminating,” Moffat said of the reason they added John’s future wife, who didn’t get the warmest of receptions at first. “They all see through Sherlock so fast…but John is still bamboozled.” Abbington, who appears in all three episodes of the season, will remain a large part of the mythology of Sherlock as the story continues. “Mary’s absolutely here. We don’t just off her,” Moffat said. “How would that be at the start of the next series. ‘Where’s Mary?’ ‘Dead!’ ”
Benedict doesn’t want to end it: “I’m fine with it. I’m going to keep going with it,” Cumberbatch said, adding that “it’s a schedule-providing thing…I love it. I find it very invigorating.”
Sherlock’s parents played by his real parents, Timothy Carlton and Wanda Ventham: “They were absolutely appalled at how accurate the relationship is between Sherlock and his parents and me and my parents,” Cumberbatch said with a laugh.
Sherlock and Molly: Molly Hooper, whose attraction to Sherlock is addressed in season three, was never supposed to last past season one, but Louise Brealey’s portrayal changed Moffat’s mind. “It was so automatically funny to see Sherlock with her. As a character she’s grown the most out of anyone in the series,” Moffat said, endearingly calling Cumberbatch “the chief flirt.” “[Molly’s] the first person to make Sherlock apologize.”
Benedict still gets starstruck: “I still get completely starstruck,” he admitted, especially when he bumped into “Breaking Bad” stars Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston at a British Academy of Film and Television Arts party. “I’m not even a girl and I completely had (that) dry mouth thing.”
He’s normal though: “I still take public transport (and ride a) motorbike. … I do go shopping — I don’t send minions out.”
So he rides a motorbike full time in London? I didn’t know that. Why are there not more stories about Benedict riding around London on his motorcycle? I could create some really good fan-fiction about that. Damn. As for public transport… most Londoners take the tube, regardless of fame, don’t they?
*stares off into space, day-dreaming about running into Benedict at the grocery store*
Photos courtesy of PBS’s Instagram, PR Photos.
He did really well at the TCA’s. The press were virtually swooning over him. They seemed surprised at how funny he is. PBS have put Sherlock on at a ridiculously late time.
He’s been especially relaxed and charming lately. Definitely needed some time off.
He looks good with a tan, but I still only found him attractive on Star Trek. Sorry Kaiser still trying to see how you replaced Fassbender 🙁 with Cumberbatch. I get Hiddleston though!
Good that he’s continuing with Sherlock despite his growing fame. It seems like it does really accommodate both him and martin’s schedule. I didn’t find the first episode of season 3 too fascinating, but ill watch the second episode.
Hmm, what does he do with minions???
World domination.
Or, on the off chance that Cumby isn’t an evil genius, my bet is that he’s using them as dance instructors. http://i.imgur.com/Ej8Oyf8.gif
He has a motorcycle?!? How awesome is that!
And the fact that he still takes public transit is pretty cool. My mother, who is about as broke as I am once fussed at me for suggesting that we take the subway on our visit to NYC… her highness insisted on riding around in a cab. Yeesh.
I have noticed there’s a difference in how Americans perceive public transportation versus the rest of the world, especially if someone lives in an area where there are few public transportation options. It’s refreshing to me to read about celebrities who clearly have the cash to take cabs (or even buy a car or a hired driver) taking the bus or train.
Most public transportation in the US is super crappy and we value the independence cars give us. So both issues make the other one worse. Plus everything here in the US is geared for the car and no one even considers public transportation except as an afterthought.
Side note, watching a few British shows made me and my kids nostalgic about awesome public transportation. *sigh*
Why I moved to Toronto from the US. I abhorred driving everywhere in US, Traffic jams, taking forever to get from point a to point b(I used to live in a 90k city and it would take me 20 mins just to get across town, a mere 2.5 miles because of all the traffic lights! Now, if there is a delay on subway/streetcar/bus, I read a book. I read 40 books last year!
That’s a good point. I live near a city with several public transportation options, but people don’t tend to use them very often. In the suburbs, there’s definitely a mentality of “Why would I want to get on a bus?” It’s weird!
We have shocking public transport, so I get completely why you would use the Underground/Metro/Subway rather than sit in a car for three times longer than you have to. I always love going to cities where you can navigate around really easily using public transport.
I miss the efficiency of Japanese public transportation (trains in Japan do arrive late! Lol). And cab drivers that can drive AND know their stuff (why can’t we have that????). However, I don’t miss the wicked traffic jams — although absolutely no road rage.
Outside of major cities, Anerican cities and towns are designed withheld presumption that everyone is in a car. This makes life pretty impossible for not just for those who are low income, but for the disabled. Just try to be visually impaired in Upstate NY. It doesn’t have to be this way.
We have the metro line system here in the DC metro area where I live, but it’s not that great (compared to NYC) and it doesn’t go everywhere it needs to go. Lately, they’ve been expanding the stations and building extra lines, but it would have been nice if they had done that from Day 1 and not years and years later.
My mom is more anal about riding with the “common folk” than she is anal about taking the subway. She’s a bit snooty, this one. That’s why I call her “her highness” (don’t worry, she’s a good woman though).
I live in Washington, DC, and haven’t owned a car since 2006. I am by no means unique in that regard around here. But, DC is an east coast city with solid public transportation, so it’s easy to do without a car. Many US cities don’t have systems that are *that* great, and many people have some mental block against using it.
Here in London it takes ages to get anywhere. 5 miles in a car will take you an hour if not more its crazy and ££££& for black cabs. Airport would be £150. Moped, motorcycle quicker tube ok unless you are out past 12m then a no go they stop!! If you can believe. Public transport in NYC better in my opinion.
I’m in Houston, which is huge. I drive everywhere and it doesn’t take that long. You have to pick your departure times, to miss the bad traffic. I can remember working on a heavy traffic side of town. I left work just 10 minutes later and I missed all the traffic. All of it.
Then there is the case of which way to go. It takes longer to travel from the big airport to downtown on one freeway (45), than the other (59). Go figure.
When my car was on the fritz, I took the bus or the train everywhere. They usually ran on time and are cheap ($1.25 one way). If not for the convenience of a car, I’d take the bus or train all the time.
Do any cities in the Us have a tram system? I only ever heard of San Francisco. I couldn’t imagine living without it. Thank God, ours is very well organised,
Possibly a few do but not many. Other cities are going to a light rail instead.
I just googled light rail and that is what I meant. We call them tramways here. And they’re great, most of them are new, air conditioned and run every five minutes, but I still miss the old ones, they had a certain charm.
No trams that I know of, but there is a VRE in Northern VA where I live that is similar.
Boston is impossible to get around without the T.
I googled it too and found that tram and light rail can be interchangeable (sometimes). Minneapolis/ St Paul have put up a light rail within the last decade or so, as have other cities. For example,Chicago uses trains as part of their public transportation and they’ve had it for ages now.
One large metro that has deplorable public transportation is the Dallas/ Ft Worth area (at least when I lived there). Texas practically worships the car and it makes it tough to live there without one. Light rail there would be a dream come true.
Houston has a little tram into the medical center but NY no.
I bet if he lived in Boston he wouldn’t take public transportation. The tube is awesome compared to the MBTA, which is a nightmare. If I had a ton of money I would not be afraid to use a car service-I would love it.
If it isn’t delayed, overcrowded or smelly you get the creeper who tries to rub up against you.
And good luck if you want to go out on the weekend, the trains aren’t running when you stumble out of the club.
Sadly, I can vouch for the creeper instances – happened to me on the 57 bus when I lived in Allston in the 90s. GROSS. all that aside, I loved it when I lived there and didn’t own a car for a few years. The only thing I hated was grocery shopping, otherwise it was totally freeing.
Uh huh. You want to know about semi-crappy public transport?
Try MARTA in Atlanta. Decent for going the airport. But depending on anywhere else you want to go? Probably take you 2 buses and a train. It also stops running after a certain point at night (I think there was an article about people who came to ATL for the final four last year and got stranded when the MARTA shut down for the night…)
Ugh. The MARTA is hell. Everytime I visit ATL, I always beg my friend to pick me up from the airport.
I live in Boston and take the T everywhere, resorting to zipcar for grocery shopping. I like it, but I wish it didn’t close at midnight. I stay away from the orange line, which is slow and has a reputation for crime. The red line is awesome.
I ride the Orange Line almost daily, even late at night and have never had a problem with criminal elements. I have had some problems on the red line past south station. They are planning to extend nighttime service later this spring. About time. It was wrong to abolish the NightOwl bus service but the governor who did that NEVER took the T.
I live in Boston, I love love love love love the T & the bus, and I am very excited that they’re piloting a late-night program later this year! I will ride it every night just to make sure it sticks. 🙂
http://www.wbur.org/2013/12/03/mbta-late-night-service
I absolutely loved the Tube during my holiday in London. Quick and efficient. I can’t wait to get back there later this year.
Nothing is worse than public transport in Sydney. ShittyFail (I mean CityRail) is the spawn of the devil. There’s always trains getting cancelled at the last minute, track work and other delays. You have to have a car and even then, there isn’t enough parking available anywhere….ever! It sucks not having a train line anywhere near me (and I live relatively close to Sydney CBD).
That’s nice you guys…talk to me after you’ve been relying solely on the MBTA for transportation for 18 years—I have a feeling you might change your mind 😉
I take the Orange Line or a crappy bus or both almost every day and it SUCKS, particularly when you compare it to public trans in EU cities like Paris and London. I took the BART and Caltrain in SF and it was far superior to the MBTA. That being said, the point is that public trans is certainly better than no public trans, so I’m thankful we have even the shitty MBTA.
I have been riding the T almost daily for more than 18 years and I disagree. True, it is not equal to the metro or the tube but European countries have a very different view towards public transport and invest more heavily in it than the United States does. As for BART, I have ridden it many times and I did not find it superior to the T. Yes, it is cleaner and newer but the routes are limited, basically bringing people in from outside the city to the same points, from which you must depart the BART and get on crosstown buses, which meander endlessly, or the cable cars. The T does a better job of covering most of the city, even if you might have to switch lines more than once – that happens in Paris, NYC, and London too. And now that my mother has given up driving because of failing vision, the T is a godsend for her to get herself to medical appointments and social events while maintaining her independence.
I can barely muster a “meh” for this guy.
Season 3 of Sherlock has to be the weakest so far. It’s still worth watching, but I expected better.
He sounds humble and grateful for his success. It’s very sweet of him to acknowledge and appreciate his fans. My crush is continuing to grow on him. Going to give Sherlock a go. Never change Benedict.
@TVGuideMagazine: “I value my privacy and quiet time. I value having space to think on my own” says Benedict Cumberbatch #Sherlock #TCA14
Anyone else think this might have been a veiled address at the Meryl joke from earlier this week? To try to show he’s not a diva?
Could be… but you might just be reading into what he said. I have a feeling that he’s just the broody type who needs his space to think and process stuff every now and then. Sounds like typical Cancer behavior to me.
Indeed! Cancers are very emotional, very analytical, very sensitive, and feel things very deeply. Because of that people and situations can weigh them down more heavily than someone who is able to let things roll off their backs. So when they feel over-stimulated mentally and emotionally they need to be able to retreat. If they can’t retreat they will break down (having emotional fits, becoming angry and fearful, lashing out with temper tantrums, and so on). Cancers are affectionate and world-class huggers and kissers and all around really lovely souls. It’s best for them and everyone around them to let them retreat when they need to.
BTW, when I said “sensitive” I don’t mean like being all delicate and whiny and precious. I mean sensitive as in sensing and feeling things in an intense way.
Or maybe an introvert? Possibly an NF personality type
He screams introverted cancer….just like me 🙂
You’ve just described me and I’m a Virgo.
Naw.
He’s said similar things before too which is why people suspect he is an introvert.
And he and Meryl have gushed about one another.
I didn’t feel he needed to say anything, so it was a stretch.
She was clearly joking and like you said has been more than complimentary about him.
People have asked before because he quite often lives apart from the cast & crew. If this were the first time he said it — maybe. But he’s brought this up before which is why I think this is an overall thing of his not a reactionary comment to one person or another.
Just because she was joking doesn’t mean he didn’t feel sensitive about it — at the very least he may have had a twinge of concern that others would have taken her seriously and think he’s some kind of prima donna. I think he cares what people think of him.
Great point Maureen. He might totally understand that his co-workers get his need to be on his own but that doesn’t mean others (outside the cast & crew) do as well. And I agree that he might care what others think of him (in certain situations) which would explain his repeating this.
Again, fantastic point.
Hi, I’m cancer, and I adore being on my own from time to time… really.. it annoys being always surrounded by people… So, he’s probably similar to me… We need time to ourselves… 🙂
Don’t you have the pictures of him hanging out with RDJ at the SAGs after-party?
Can we be honest here? Martin Freeman get his wife her job on the show. She isn’t a bad actress, but they could have picked someone better. I’m sure if they had a casting call they could have gotten a better and more attractive actress.
Despite this I did enjoy Mary and the dynamic change…for a while. I don’t think I’m gonna stick around for future seasons if the shows gonna become all about Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson…..oh yea and Watsons wife following them around. Not here for that. If anyone is good enough to join their party it’s Molly hooper.
I might come back to this show but not until Mary is gone, and going by moffats words, that unfortunately might not be for a while.
Martin didn’t ask, Steven (and I think Sue too) worked with Amanda before and was the impetus behind hiring her.
Am I the only one who thinks that Amanda Abbington is lovely on the show?!? I really like watching her interact with Cumberbatch and Freeman… I think she does a good job.
People seem to be a little upset about the nepotism with the casting… but I think it’s really cute. It’s not like Cumberbatch’s parents and Freeman’s gf aren’t actors or anything. They have all been doing it for a long time now, so they aren’t amateurs. Also, I think it makes the interactions between characters more authentic when you are acting along side family and people you already have a built in dynamic with.
I reserved judgement until I saw the series. I had a great many complaints about season 3, however, she was not one of them.
She was a fantastic and her chemistry with everyone (especially BC) was wonderful. So I was quite happy with how that turned out.
No, GeeMoney, you are not alone. I thought she was really adorable and that they were cute together when I watched the season opener of Sherlock, and I had no idea that she was actually Martin’s wife. I think she’s a great addition.
And don’t forget that young Sherlock was played by Moffat and Vertue’s son, and Gatiss’ partner was in Season Two, and Benedict’s former girlfriend was in Season One….
I agree, and am glad she’s not a glamour girl. Given the fact the BC’s parents are in their 70’s perhaps he wanted some opportunities to act with them while they are still active.
I don’t know that I love her as Mary. Or maybe I don’t love that character and therefore I wouldn’t have loved any actress playing her. BUT! I was struck by how really, really interesting Amanda is on-screen. She has a really interesting presence and I would LOVE to see her in something else.
And yes, I loved her chemistry with the leads. I think she would probably have great chemistry with a brick wall. She just has great screen presence and charisma.
She is ok but I would rather the old dynamic. It’s not Sherlock Holmes and Watson solving crimes and Mary tagging along too. I have seen all 3 now bit I still think season 2 better.
Just wait for episode 2! I like it ok but not loving it.
There are a lot of faults with the new series as discussed in the previous BC thread but to me, she isn’t one of them.
I like her dynamic and chemistry with them both and the way Mary has been written.
Same.
Agree with this. I think she’s actually well written and they went to a lot of effort to make her fit into the ‘family’ well. It works.
As Sixer said below, nepotism is everywhere in British TV. Everyone knows each other, and they’re quite often related or they have working relationships that go way back to university days.
I agree, I like Mary’s character. She adds a new dynamic.
The only characters that truly bug me are Molly and the bridesmaid (whatever her name was), wasn’t fond of either character. Not because they both got to kiss Benedict Cumberbatch, but I don’t like the neediness of Molly’s character and her weird obsession with Sherlock. I wish they would portray her differently.
Now, I got the point with the Bridesmaid, but I didn’t really enjoy the actress that played her performance. I thought she was gorgeous, but I just wasn’t convinced with her character especially after the insults at the wedding reception.
I should probably rewatch some of it, because I may have missed something, but that’s just my two cents.
@Ash,
I haven’t seen the new season but I do agree with you about Molly Hooper’s character based on the previous season. I find Molly’s OTT Sherlock worship strange and off putting. It’s a shame because I think the actress is really good. Also if they had written her just a little less obsessive and, perhaps, a little more realistic I could really get behind her character.
Another vote for her here. I think she is great. And it’s not as though nepotism and mates casting isn’t EVERYWHERE in British telly.
Really? Interesting.
I agree with all those commented above. I think casting Amanda was a brilliant idea.
If another actress was cast, can’t even imagine how many more “death threats” that she will get compared to Amanda. (maybe the same amount as the number of WatsonxSherlock slash out there floating on the internet?)
I’m a Ghost and Mrs. Muir fangirl. We read that Edward Mulhare’s niece hated going out in public w him b’cause the minute he opened his mouth in public…the gig was up. I would imagine speaking out loud in a grocery store would be Benedict’s biggest problem. There’s no hiding that mellifluous voice.
I now have images of him asking someone something perfectly innocent like
“sorry, do you know which aisle the butternut squash is in?” and surrounding people’s ears pricking up and they peer over the aisles like meerkats to see.
Bet he orders online 🙂 Waitrose
I do and I am a nobody.
I am picturing a fangirl grabbing her phone to document what’s in his grocery cart. “Oooh, he’s got a bottle of wine, some salmon and potatoes, everyone!” And then everyone analyzes what he bought and how much. Is he having company? Does he just like to make extra for leftovers the next night?
Green Girl, your words sound disturbingly accurate, poor man. Actually I think this happens to Hiddleston even more, given the latest bs online… LOL, but hey, nobody’s life is perfect.
IKR? And then they’d create a Tumblr, too.
bennysgroceries.tumblr.com, I see it!
(shakespeareantesco.tumblr.com for hiddles diddles)
I love that! I was leaning towards “What Benedict Ate,” but I like your suggestion much more.
Edward Mulhare was one of my earliest crushes when I was a child! What a voice! I got to see him on stage in My Fair Lady.
I liked everything he said here. And glad to hear he’s happy to stick with the show. Hollywood is fickle but the BBC is VERY loyal. If it goes wrong for him in films, a good quality vehicle will always be found by the Beeb for its loyal footsoldiers.
I agree 100% on the Beeb point. They do take care of their own. Also, Cumby is smart enough to understand that viewer loyalty stands for a lot. People adore the guy who sticks with a show because he loves it, not because he had to. Clooney managed the transition because he finished out his ER commitments in a way that respected the the integrity of his character’s plot lines and the shows. Long-term, it’s a surer way of guaranteeing work. The film offers will dissipate somewhat, as he loses the new-boy gloss, but if he remains with Sherlock, there’s an annual bump in his profile that will remind people he’s still around. Plus a steady paycheck. As long as the scripts stay good (ahem) and well-recieved, there’s no way this doesn’t benefit him.
And in turn, I agree with all this. Look at the loyalty shown to Tennant, to use an example familiar to US chaps. Films didn’t work out but he’s had three big ticket dramas ( ok, one ITV) plus the best of the voiceovers in the lasf year or so alone. Makes theatre affordable for him.
Plus, with the BBC, there’s more of an opportunity to do steady work. Say you’re Tennant. You get one Broadchurch, or whatever the WWII drama was called, per year, that’s filming in the UK, so he doesn’t have to leave his family, guaranteed income, and a popularity that opens the door to voiceover work, etc. Long-term, it’s a much more stable prospect. Sometimes, it’s better to be the bigger fish in a smaller pond.
Yes again! I’ve always thought John Simm’s was a career to envy.
I agree it’s very smart of him, T.Fanty. Three episode seasons don’t create so much of a filming block that it prevents him from doing movie or theater work, and there’s something to be said for having a steady source of money and publicity during times when roles aren’t coming in like they used to.
Plus, I think it would be a lot harder for Cumberbatch to pull out of Sherlock than it was for Clooney to leave ER (on good terms) or Stevens to leave Downton Abbey (on sour ones). You can’t really have Sherlock without Sherlock. It would end the show, and I think it would be a terrible public relations move to end show that’s so well-liked when it’s still in its creative prime and the other parties involved want it to go on. Imagine the protests.
@Sixer
I am not sure if Beeb are that loyal to to its footsoldiers actors – who dump them when popular -. I’m thinking about how David Tennant, when he struggled to break America after leaving Dr Who and when he came back. It’s taken ITV to pick him up and offer him decent TV work. Maybe its David’s choice.
I will look forward to see where Matt Smith ends up.
Tennant’s had two main BBC dramas this year plus voiceovers for the headline nat hist productions!
Plus, we’re talking about the ones that DON’T dump (not that I think Tennant did).
Americans struggle with a Scottish accent (generally.) When he does Broadchurch for here he’s going to have to tone it way down or talk like Ewan does when he’s here……with an English accent.
Yep, take note Dan Stevens.
I get your point, and I apologize for being nit-picky, but isn’t Downton on ITV?
That being said, I agree with the sentiment that actors shouldn’t bite the hands that feed them. I don’t think anyone should feel obligated to stay until the bitter end of a TV show, but I do think there’s a right way and a wrong way to leave. If Cumby were, instead, to back out of Sherlock now and basically say “Smell you later!” then I think public perception would change and decision-makers in both the BBC and Hollywood might not like that.
Yep, that was my point really, you don’t bite the hand that feeds. More so, you respect where you’ve come from and you respect the people who got you work.
Of course people would turn on BC if he up and left Sherlock abruptly because Hollywood opened its door to him. Luckily he’s smarter, and dare I say, more decent, than that.
Stevens flat out refused to do more Downton at the height of its popularity, thinking he could do better if he moved to the States when the show was hot. Well look where that got him.
And yea, I have no idea what channel Downton is on, sorry (I admit I used to download it illegally *sideeyes*)
I agree DS is a good example of how not to do it. ITV or not. But would include the observation that loyalty casting is strongest at the BBC.
I think I read that Dan doesn’t even want people asking him about Downton in press interviews. I get that as an actor he doesn’t want to talk about old projects, but he could handle this so much better.
And Benedict has gone back and done Cabin Pressure on R4, I’m not sure but he may be recording another series.
I’ve read that about Dan Stevens, too, Green Girl. I think it’s terribly foolish of him. I understand when actors want to be seen as more than one character, but I think it’s also good for them to remember that most people who are following their career found them because of that characters (or those characters, for people who have had a couple iconic ones). Distancing yourself too much can come across as insulting the very thing that made fans love you.
There’s a pic of him on his bike bouncing around. I’ve seen it before. Although, I like to think that it was just him next to someone else’s bike, before he hopped on his little BMX and cycled home. Although, it’s still more fun to imagine him on a little baby blue Vespa, because Wanda deemed a proper bike too dangerous.
Can you imagine how many near death experiences he has EVERY DAY riding a motor bike to work?
Oh you just know he’s been saving up for his “big boy” bike since he started getting regular pay checks. None of this Vespa nonsense, Cumby needs some power betwixt his thighs! (ahem) Wanda probably bought him enough safety equipment to render him impermeable to most disasters. At the very least, she’d attempt to make sure the “family jewels” are protected- you know she wants her grandkids!
I can only imagine what it would be like to ride on the back of a bike he was driving… and he’s usually running behind schedule so, good lord.
Somewhat on-topic – I just read that GQ article where he mentions cheating death practically every day. I’m exaggerating, but only slightly. I would love, love, love to hear all the other parts that didn’t make it into the article. I think it would be fascinating to interview him.
I would love to see a picture of him on a motorbike. Did he really drive one in the third season opener of Sherlock, or was that in a more controlled environment. I ask because I know he’s done his own stunts.
Lots of celebrities take the tube, Londoners generally don’t talk on the tube or even make eye contact; which apparently makes us rude but whatever. Plus its fast (something we are somewhat ungrateful for). Basically London is a great place to live if you want to blend into the crowd, so I get why he lives here.
And traffic/parking is horrendous, clamping rife and everyone moans like crazy about the congestion charge!
Oh, I miss London’s transport. 5 buses a day in my village and nothing after 6pm. Cars are a necessary evil.
“Londoners generally don’t talk on the tube or even make eye contact” – lol, are you telling me Americans stare at each other and talk to strangers all the time on the subway???
I seriously doubt that.
Besides, doesn’t everyone keep to themselves and not interact with strangers on public transport?? I sure know I do.
Having visited London, I would compare a Londoner’s behavior on the tube to a New Yorker’s behavior on the subway. A lot of Londoners like New York, and vice versa. There are definite similarities in tone, although New York streets are on a grid, while London streets look like an unraveled ball of string from above.
@Kelly Apparently people from the north of England think us London’s are rude/hostile for not talking to strangers, personally I don’t get why they do talk to other strangers but they apparently do. Also by talking I mean no talking whether it be with friends or strangers, its strangly silent. If someone does talk they usually whisper even then they usually shut up immediately after they said their sentence. Yeah we like our silence and eyes towards the ground at all times.
@Roxanna Oh I see, it sounds like you all behave like you’re in a library 🙂 I don’t think that’s rude, I think it’s overly polite, lol! I think boisterous loud talking would be “rude”, but I mean I would think it’s normal to talk to your friends who are with you and stay silent if you’re alone. In any case, I find all this very interesting, tiny cultural details
@Roxanna: Public transport in Japan is typically fairly quiet. You might get some very low talking or whispering but it’s mostly by young people or Americans (sadly the young military members are so rude off base — it’s shameful at times). However, in Japan the lack of conversation never feels rude just respectful. I have a feeling that living in Japan might make the culture of Southern England less alien to me.
(Note: Midwesterners talk somewhat to strangers — at least I do! Lol)
ETA: @Joanie– I laughed at the grid vs ball of string. NOTHING in Japan is on a grid, it was all over the place. Ball of string is way way too poetic for what I thought of it!!! Lol
Okay question to everyone, just curious, why the need to keep quiet on public transport, if you’re there with your friends/family?
It seems kind of weird that I’d go on a bus/subway/tram with my bff/mom/whoever and ignore them the whole time, or whisper.
I get that the Japanese are known for being super introverted but err, the rest of the world? Or is England also super introverted and awkward at social interaction?
I’ve been on the underground in quite a few mainland European cities, and people don’t talk to strangers, but they do interact with their friends. It’s not loud shouting, but it’s normal conversation. And no one minds, I mean it seems normal.
Kelly,
Fantastic cultural question. I cannot speak for anything other than Japan but my guess is that my answer could/would apply to other cultures that are also on densely populated islands.
The reason people in Japan are so quiet has to do with respecting other people — not that they are necessarily more introverted (you should see them when they are comfortable). On a small island that is densely populated — you create the illusion of space and privacy by not talking or invading another’s ‘bubble’. Here in the US we have a much bigger allowance for actual person space because we DO have the luxury of space that the Japanese don’t have. So they create the space in other ways. Make sense? Plus, the US has an individualistic mind set whereas in Asia the mind set is group oriented. Means we have vastly different approaches to life — individual needs trump in the US but the group needs trump in Asia, especially in Japan.
My hunch is that in the densely populated cities of London and New York City they adopt the same manners to create that space for self and others. And of course, England and parts of New York
City are on an island so I think it’s partly an island type of mentality when it’s also densely populated. I say that because Pacific Islanders are not like this but they aren’t densely populated either. And as you pointed out it’s not necessarily a European thing.
Hopefully that helps.
@LadySlippers
Wow, brilliant, very enlightening and thought provoking, thanks for the answer!
Kelly,
You are ever so welcome! And I’m grateful for the experience of living overseas. 🙂
Oh hello, Ben!!
I’m so late to this. All caught up in the big snows today. I really do think that Benedict does all those things (shopping on his own, taking the tube, etc), and I think he really does strive for normalcy. More importantly I think he truly is embarrassed when he has to do things like get driven around with Spencer Hart in a Rolls Royce and other such things. On one hand I think he should enjoy those things when he has to do them — because why not? — but on the other hand it makes me feel sweet on him that he feels like “a dopey actor who gets driven to work” and really feels self-conscious about this kind of fancy existence and adulation. I hope he will never stop feeling that twinge of “I’m just a dopey actor, I don’t deserve all this”. It would be REALLY sad to look one day and see Benedict acting like a pompous prima donna. It won’t affect my existence for sure, but there’s just so few good guys in this business, you know? I want good guys to win.
I agree, Mareen! At first, I didn’t understand the hype around him, because I only just learned about him a few months ago, and I now understand. He is probably the most down-to- earth actor in the business right now, and I hope he will maintain that quality.
I am sure he will since his parents appear to be actors as well. He does seem uneasy in the fame world. I wouldn’t be surprised if he backed off movies for a while, went back to the theater and stick Sherlock.
He’s a fantastic and mesmerizing actor.
He had a Honda motorbike while he was doing Frankenstein, don’t know what he has now.
http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lyjpqusICC1r0wr54o1_500.jpg
The rucksack and hi-vis jacket, and the auburn *coughGINGERcough* hair haha.
I know nothing about bikes but it looks nice.
Somebody correct me if I’m wrong but I think his hair was colored for Frankenstein and he really is a dark red (he calls it Auburn (which I’ve always thought of as having more brown) but I’ve always called that shade Cherry Cola Red?).
I think the color he has right now is his natural hair color. It doesn’t appear that he’s filming anything right now that requires his hair colored. So going by the above pics, I would call his hair Auburn.
You can definitely see the red highlights when he is in the grey suit. So, that’s why I assuming it’s his natural Auburn hair.
Maureen, He said he applied colour to his nether regions but I think the hair on his head in that pic is his natural hair colour.
He’s got a crotch rocket! Nice!
That’s the same thing I thought when I saw the pic…. those are pretty much designed to go fast?
curls! http://bestof.provocateuse.com/images/photos/benedict_cumberbatch_95.jpg
That’s his natural hair colour in that photo.
No he had it dyed for Frankenstein then and it was more ginger than his darker auburn.
I think his hair is his natural colour at the moment, or very close to it. He has said his hair was natural in August-Osage County.
He also said it was natural in “12 Years a Slave”, which looks to be about the same colour as “August: Osage County”. So I think it is natural right now as well, a dark brown/auburn-y colour…not ginger. It’s a great colour. I know lots of people prefer the black Sherlock hair but I think it looks best this way.
The curls are natural?!?!?
Why the hell does he keep straightening his hair out then, when he’s not filming?!?!?!?!
WTF Benedict, your curls are glorious!!!!!
I thought they were artificially made for Sherlock, and was always sad his Sherlock hair wasn’t his natural hair.
OMG you fool!!! Keep the curls!!!
Men are so stupid
They darken his hair but the curls are 100% his.
And yes, men ARE so stupid.
His curls are actually really nice, big loose, and wavy. He apparently hates his Sherlock hair. Is it the curls or coloring that he hates?
I. CANNNOT. BELIEVE. THEM. GLORIOUS. DISNEY. PRINCESS. CURLS. ARE. HIS.
I feel like crying when I look at the photos here.
I’d give anything for hair like that!!
Forgive him Heaven, he knows not what he does!!!
JammyPants,
It’s the length of Sherlock’s hair that drives him nuts. Lol
I wonder why. I don’t have curly hair so I wouldn’t understand. I notice he tries really hard as he can to keep all hair out of his face, bless him. Which leads to an unpopular opinion: I actually like his top-poofy, clean and short haircut.
Do Londoners wear full face helmets? If so, it’s a brilliant way to get around anonymously. Maybe we crossed paths and didn’t even know. sigh.
Batchy won at the National TV Awards. Haven’t found any video or pics as yet – I heard that he was flying back home for this shindig, but no evidence has popped up yet.
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/national-tv-awards-2014-winners-list-in-full-9078551.html
Here is Benedict’s acceptance speech. It was recorded live from LA.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQBrNMiAzis
Enjoy.