14 DAY TRIAL // The actor who has just won the Critics' Choice Awards for Hottest Hollywood Star, Benedict Cumberbatch, was actually afraid of getting too famous. His portrayal of the iconic Sherlock Holmes in the eponymous TV series caused him to have doubts when accepting the role.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Cumberbatch confesses his reservations that almost caused him to turn down the role, “My reservation was ‘Well, this is a very iconic character, there will be a lot of attention on it.’”
He explains that “This was before I had had any significant success [but] I knew there would still be a lot of focus on it. And while I had done work, it wasn’t stepping into the populist limelight like playing a character like Holmes. So I did have a pause for thought.”
The thing that eventually convinced him into doing the role was the “Sherlock” team's passion for the project. He says that although they work hard, the people involved are keeping things personal, making him feel like he joined a family.
An entire world is thankful for his decision, as the third season of “Sherlock” is set to premiere in the United States to record-breaking attendance. Meanwhile, the role has also brought Cumberbatch to the attention of the world and, more importantly, of Hollywood producers.
The 37-year-old actor has already starred in some of the most important films to come out in the States last year. His resume now includes titles such as “The Hobbit” trilogy, “Stark Trek Into Darkness,” “August: Osage County” and “12 Years a Slave.”
The sky is the limit from here on for “Cumby,” as he has been affectionately dubbed by the media and the fans. But it does look like a busy year for him in 2014 with at least one more series of “Sherlock Holmes” in production.