# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Benedict Cumberbatch’s unique voice, penetrating eyes, and pronounced cheekbones have assisted him gain widespread recognition in the entertainment industry.

# data[].attributes.headline
1 - Benedict Timothy Carlton Cumberbatch

# data[].attributes.subject
1 - Benedict Timothy Carlton Cumberbatch

# data[].attributes.headline
3 -   He gained fame in 2010 for his leading role in Sherlock. He won several Best Actor awards, including an Emmy, and was nominated for a Golden Globe.

# data[].attributes.subject
3 -   He gained fame in 2010 for his leading role in Sherlock. He won several Best Actor awards, including an Emmy, and was nominated for a Golden Globe.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
We're delighted to announce that #SherlockLive has won the People's Voice award for Best Social Event at the 21st annual Webby Awards, often described as the 'Internet's highest honor' and 'The Oscars of the Internet'.

#SherlockLive has also won a People's Lovie and Bronze award in the 2017 Lovie Awards.

We'd like to thank all the fans for your support and taking the time to vote for #SherlockLive!

Thank you, from the Sherlock digital team.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
BBC One - Sherlock - #SherlockLive wins Webby and Lovie Awards!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
We're delighted to announce that #SherlockLive has won the People's Voice Webby Award.

# data[].attributes.headline
3.1 - The cast and crew have warm conversations. Benedict is straightforward and enthusiastic. His role as Sherlock is an interpretive achievement.

# data[].attributes.subject
3.1 - The cast and crew have warm conversations. Benedict is straightforward and enthusiastic. His role as Sherlock is an interpretive achievement.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Sherlock BBC TV Cast Interview: Benedict Cumberbatch, Martin Freeman, Amanda Abbington Steven Moffat

# data[].attributes.headline
3.2 -   （Personal cognition）His Sherlock was contemporary, emotionally troubled, and human, but nonetheless brilliant.

# data[].attributes.subject
3.2 -   （Personal cognition）His Sherlock was contemporary, emotionally troubled, and human, but nonetheless brilliant.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman Interview

# data[].attributes.headline
1.2 - A fun, enthusiastic British actor who loves to dance and has plenty of charisma.

# data[].attributes.subject
1.2 - A fun, enthusiastic British actor who loves to dance and has plenty of charisma.

# data[].attributes.headline
2 - Excellent acting born of stage theatre.

# data[].attributes.subject
2 - Excellent acting born of stage theatre.

# data[].attributes.body
In 2011, Benedict Cumberbatch starred in the stage production of Frankenstein, directed by Danny Bowie. He alternated the roles of Frankenstein and Creature with Jonny Lee Miller, who swapped roles the following day. Cumberbatch's performance earned him three Laurence Olivier Awards, Evening Standard Theatre Awards, and Critics' Circle Theatre Awards for Best Actor, making him the recipient of Triple Crown of London Theatre.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Frankenstein w Benedict Cumberbatch & Jonny Lee Miller | Official Trailer | National Theatre at Home

# data[].attributes.headline
1.1 - The first perception of Cumberbatch's acting career.

# data[].attributes.subject
1.1 - The first perception of Cumberbatch's acting career.

# data[].attributes.body
In his talk, Comberbatch discusses his childhood interest in acting and how it led to a deeper understanding of the performing arts through his subsequent theatre performances.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Benedict Cumberbatch on How He Started Acting | On Acting

# data[].attributes.body
Benedict had played supporting roles for a while before being nominated for Best Actor at both the 44th Monte Carlo International Television Festival and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Television Awards in 2004. He was recognized for his portrayal of Stephen Hawking in the TV movie, The Hawking Story.

# data[].attributes.body
In the 2014 Academy Award-winning Best Picture "12 Years a Slave," Curly played the character of Fort, a duplicitous rancher.

# data[].attributes.body
Theater is an art that requires precise physical control, and Benedict Cumberbatch is a master of it. In the opening scene of his play "The Spirit and the Flesh of Frankenstein," the monster, who has just been brought to life and is struggling to control his muscles, goes from wrestling to standing shakily and then staggering, in a process that is both realistic and shocking.

# data[].attributes.body
The character of the misunderstood yet brilliant mathematician Alan Turing in “The Imitation Game” was one of the first parts that established his Hollywood career. Turing, who played a pivotal role in both the Second World War and the advancement of computer technology, had a turbulent existence marked by discrimination due to his sexual orientation. Turing’s suffering in his personal life as well as the substance of his genius were both poignantly and powerfully portrayed by Cumberbatch (Porter, 2016). Hiss reputation in the global film industry was further cemented when he received an Oscar nomination for the performance.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Benedict Cumberbatch on ‘Imitation Game,’ playing genius

# data[].attributes.body
He received rave reviews from the audience due to his deep understanding of Turing and full immersion in the character's experience.

# data[].attributes.headline
 When an intelligent and sophisticated Englishman enters the world of Hollywood, he is faced with both opportunities and challenges.

# data[].attributes.subject
 When an intelligent and sophisticated Englishman enters the world of Hollywood, he is faced with both opportunities and challenges.

# data[].attributes.body
In Hollywood, he delivered a range of screen performances that defied the traditional English gentleman image. In 'The Power of the Dog,' he displayed a rugged charm, blending personal allure with sensitivity, subverting the audience's Western cowboy expectations. His mimicry skills portrayed the overlooked genius. While these performances consistently exceeded audience expectations, it was his superhero series that marked the pinnacle of his screen career

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
It's Time To Talk About Benedict Cumberbatch's Career | Netflix

# data[].attributes.headline
5 - The traditional detective role transitioned into the realm of superheroes.

# data[].attributes.subject
5 - The traditional detective role transitioned into the realm of superheroes.

# data[].attributes.body
Venturing into the fantastical realm of superheroes, he took on the cloak of Doctor Strange in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This wasn’t just any superhero; Doctor Stephen Strange was an arrogant surgeon turned sorcerer, a journey from skepticism to belief. It required gravitas, wit, and physicality, and Cumberbatch delivered, seamlessly blending into the expansive Marvel tapestry ensuring Doctor Strange stood out with his unique charm and depth.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Marvel Studios' Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness | Official Trailer

# data[].attributes.headline
6 -  Benedict Cumberbatch loves being Dr. Strange

# data[].attributes.subject
6 -  Benedict Cumberbatch loves being Dr. Strange

# data[].attributes.body
He is always serious about his studies and fully dedicated, repeatedly and solemnly displaying the qualities and extraordinary abilities of a superhero. Despite portraying a serious character, he is actually witty and humorous, maintaining a good atmosphere in conversations with other actors throughout

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
benedict cumberbatch loves being doctor strange and it shows

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Benedict Cumberbatch on challenge of playing a bullying misogynist

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Benedict Cumberbatch had to stay in character on set playing a cruel rancher in The Power of the Dog.

# data[].attributes.headline
Subdued and unostentatious personal life - the epitome of talent and beauty.

# data[].attributes.subject
Subdued and unostentatious personal life - the epitome of talent and beauty.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Benedict Cumberbatch confirms Valentine's Day marriage

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The actor's spokeswoman tells Newsbeat that his wedding to Sophie Hunter "was a magical day".

# data[].attributes.headline
A moving segment depicting the remarkable team spirit in the Avengers series

# data[].attributes.subject
A moving segment depicting the remarkable team spirit in the Avengers series

# data[].attributes.headline
7 - Attention and fervor regarding the refugee crisis.

# data[].attributes.subject
7 - Attention and fervor regarding the refugee crisis.

# data[].attributes.body
Benedict Cumberbatch is known for actively engaging in political discussions and being willing to explore opposing viewpoints. However, in the context of the immigration crisis, he has refused to support those who lack humanity and compassion towards people seeking refuge in the UK. He is very proactive in urging his fan base to donate, and his passion for addressing the immigration crisis is evident in his candid and direct public speeches on social media platforms.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Benedict Cumberbatch's full length refugee appeal

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Benedict Cumberbatch makes a speech for Syrian refugees after Hamlet

# data[].attributes.headline
9 - Equality is the core principle of feminism

# data[].attributes.subject
9 - Equality is the core principle of feminism

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Sophia Grace Interviews Benedict Cumberbatch On Gender Equality, Bullying And More!!!

# data[].attributes.body
Benedict Cumberbatch voiced special criticism of the UK government's decision to accept only 20,000 refugees over the course of five years. During his speech, he continuously recited a poem titled "Home" by Somali poet Warsan Shire. This poem also serves as the prelude in his charity single "Help is Coming" released earlier this summer. In the poem, there is a line that goes, "No one puts their children on a boat unless the water is safer than the land."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The actor Benedict Cumberbatch has shown his growing frustration over the migration crisis during a speech after his Hamlet performance - reportedly saying "fuck the politicians".

The Sherlock star has been giving nightly speeches after his curtain call at the Barbican in London and asking for donations to help Syrian refugees. So far, audience contributions have raised more than £150,000 for Save the Children.

Cumberbatch has been particularly critical of the British government's decision to accept only 20,000 refugees over five years.

During the speeches, Cumberbatch has been reading a poem called Home by Somali poet Warsan Shire, the same one he read in the introduction to Help is Coming, Save the Children's charity single, released in the summer. It includes the line: "No one puts children in a boat unless the water is safer than the land."

Cumberbatch has told theatregoers of a friend's experience volunteering on the Greek island of Lesbos, where 5,000 people had been arriving every day.

"Everywhere on the horizon there was nothing but boats and on the shoreline nothing but lifejackets," he said. "We are saying, as citizens of the world, we see you ... and at least some help is coming."

Several members of the audience on Tuesday said they supported Cumberbatch's frustration with politicians, which led him to use the swear word.

Benedict Cumberbatch after Hamlet RE the refugee crisis: 'Fuck the politicians"
- Ellen (@Needforcaffeine) October 27, 2015

"Fuck the politicians" - Benedict Cumberbatch, at bows for Hamlet
- gav gav galloo (@govieburbie) October 27, 2015

"Out of nowhere came this 'Fuck the politicians' remark," one theatregoer told the Daily Mail. "It's not quite what you'd expect when you go for an evening with the bard, but it got a few cheers."

Cumberbatch has previously expressed a desire to meet the home secretary to discuss the refugee crisis. "I don't think the government is doing enough, I'm glad to say that," he told Sky News at the premiere of his new film, Black Mass, this month. "I would like to sit down with Theresa May and really get an idea of how her economic and political model works.

"There is a huge crisis and not enough is being done. Yes, we need long-term solutions; yes, we need to get people out of the camps so they don't make a perilous journey; yes, it's a good idea to actually have a specific solution, I suppose, once they arrive here. But to say 20,000 over five years when 5,000 arrive in one day? We've all got to wake up to this."

This article was amended on 30 October 2015. An earlier version said the Lib Dem peer Shirley Williams was in the audience for Hamlet on Tuesday, and included an embedded tweet from someone who had said Lady Williams was there. Williams' office has been in touch to say she was not in the audience for Hamlet, and had been at the Barbican that day for a different event, a recital by the pianist Stephen Hough. Nevertheless, she completely agrees that the UK government needs to do more to help refugees from the Syrian crisis.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Benedict Cumberbatch stuns theatregoers with anti-government speech

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Hamlet actor tells London audience to 'fuck the politicians' amid criticism of ministers over their handling of the migration crisis

# data[].attributes.body
“People say it’s not our problem, but it really is. We created it. And also, part of being a global citizen means it should be our humanitarian problem anyway. It’s not good enough to think, ‘let’s hope they die on the way’. And that’s really the logic of what people are saying.”

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Benedict Cumberbatch doesn't tend to shy away from entering into political debates. In 2019, he portrayed Dominic Cummings in Brexit: The Uncivil War , where, despite supporting the remain campaign in real life, he used the role to explore the opposing viewpoint and understand the other side of the debate.

In an upcoming interview with The Big Issue, however, Cumberbatch made clear that there are certain political debates which he is not willing to compromise on, and the migrant crisis was top of the list.

"It frightens me how blind people are to the fact that we went to war in countries that destabilised an entire area of our world and that's where these people are coming from," he said.

"People say it's not our problem, but it really is. We created it. And also, part of being a global citizen means it should be our humanitarian problem anyway. It's not good enough to think, 'let's hope they die on the way'. And that's really the logic of what people are saying."

The debate around the migrant crisis is growing in the UK media as hundreds of migrants are reported to be crossing the English channel each day, a dangerous activity when boats are overloaded and attempting to navigate around the paths of freight ships and ferries.

Last month, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution came under criticism for helping migrants reach the shore safely. A social media furore followed a tweet from Nigel Farage in which he accused the lifeboat service of being "a taxi service for illegal immigration".

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Benedict Cumberbatch: 'We created the migrant crisis' - The Big Issue

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Benedict Cumberbatch has strong views on the migrant crisis and is not afraid to stand up and shout about it.

# data[].attributes.body
Benedict Cumberbatch Won’t Take a Role if Female Co-Star Isn’t Paid Equally.

“Ask what women are being paid, and say: ‘If she’s not paid the same as the men, I’m not doing it.’”

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Benedict Cumberbatch Won’t Take a Role if Female Co-Star Isn’t Paid Equally

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
“Equal pay and a place at the table are the central tenets of feminism.”

# data[].attributes.body
Benedict Cumberbatch urges film industry to make equal pay pledge

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Benedict Cumberbatch has urged the film industry to reject projects in which female actors are paid less than their male counterparts.

In an interview with the Radio Times to mark the premiere of Patrick Melrose, Cumberbatch said: "Equal pay and a place at the table are the central tenets of feminism. Look at your quotas. Ask what women are being paid, and say: 'If she's not paid the same as the men, I'm not doing it'."

Patrick Melrose, a Sky Atlantic series based on the novels of Edward St Aubyn, is the first show from Cumberbatch's production company, SunnyMarch.

Cumberbatch said SunnyMarch's next project would be about motherhood "with a female lens". "If it's centred around my name, to get investors, then we can use that attention for a raft of female projects."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Benedict Cumberbatch urges film industry to make equal pay pledge

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Projects where female actors are paid less than male counterparts should be rejected, he says

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
 Benedict Cumberbatch's fangirls have formed a group called the Cumber Collective, drawing comparisons to the Borg from Star Trek. 

# data[].attributes.body
There are some fans who adore Benedict Cumberbatch's role as Sherlock Holmes so much that they call themselves "Sherlockians." On the other hand, those who appreciate all of his work might refer to themselves as "Cumberbitches." However, Benedict Cumberbatch himself has expressed reservations about the latter term, as he considers it impolite and undignified.

Instead, Benedict Cumberbatch has come up with the term "Cumbercollective," which he proposed spontaneously.

This term transcends various dimensions and implies a large, egalitarian community. It is gender-neutral and suggests a vast, equalitarian group.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Is the Cumber Collective kind of like the Borg? Benedict Cumberbatch’s fangirls embrace a new nomenclature with enthusiasm

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Actor Chris Pine plays Capt. Kirk in the film Star Trek into Darkness. He says that his fans call themselves “Pine Nuts.” Screen grab from video of BBC TV’s…

# data[].attributes.body
To some extent, casually mentioning sensitive terms like "people of color" in a way that deviates from Benedict Cumberbatch's usual strong advocacy for the refugee crisis and feminist culture might be seen as somewhat skewed.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Benedict Cumberbatch Apologizes After Race Controversy

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Oscar nominee says he was a 'fool' to use the phrase

# data[].attributes.body
Many devoted viewers expressed their discontent with the storyline in the fourth season, as it not only departed from the original logic of Detective Conan in terms of the investigative aspect but also seemed particularly inappropriate in its dilution of the relationship between Sherlock and Watson's family

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Audiences and critics alike were deeply frustrated with the fourth and possibly final season of , which ended with a madcap but anticlimactic finale. The Guardian called it " an annoying parody of itself," IndieWire called it " problematic," and British media did roundups of " the most furiously outraged reviews." Vox had mixed, mostly negative, reactions to each of its precious three episodes.

This is not a new development for the show, which premiered in 2010. Since then, Sherlock's showrunners and writers, Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, havespent years promising grand things for the series, which at least had the lofty ideas - along with the stellar acting, rapier wit, and gorgeous production values - to be smug. But again and again the show floundered, indulging in cockamamie leaps of logic and inexplicable fantasies, with barely any character development to back them up.

Many of Sherlock's problems boil down to two factors. First, given the rise to mega-stardom of its two leads, Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman, the show never knew whether its current season would be its last - and it still doesn't. Each season was only a few episodes long, and each episode centered on retelling a different Arthur Conan Doyle detective story. That didn't give the show much room to develop the larger ideas bouncing around in its head.

The second overarching problem: The show fell hard in unearned love with itself and never looked back. Much has been written about how Moffat, who is also the departing longtime showrunner of Doctor Who, is a huge fan of the " reset button" - sometimes literally. What this meant for Sherlock is that plots never had enduring consequences, and characters' actions never had any logical impact on their lives. But the show always presented these frustrating resets gleefully, as if they werejust part of Sherlock's much-touted, endless "game" instead of the huge narrative shortcomings they actually were.

Taken together, these two larger issues resulted in myriad problems for the series, which have only become more pronounced over time. Here are the five biggest recurring narrative problems Sherlock has developed over four seasons - problems it has to fix if it wants to satisfy fans in any future seasons.

1) Sherlock never learns from his mistakes

Throughout the seasons, Sherlock (Cumberbatch) behaved in the same destructive, unlikableways again and again. He repeatedly insulted and used everyone he loved (and a lot of people he didn't) whenever it was convenient for him. He repeatedly, and sometimes violently, used John (Freeman) as a kind of lab rat for his experiments. And he repeatedly fell into dangerous spirals of drug addiction, ostensibly in order to help him solve cases. Through all of this, Sherlock proceeded with the assumption that he was always right - and he was always, always proven correct.

Sherlock's violent actions have never had consequences. His repeated drug trips never led to any major health complications. The act of drugging his best friend - a war veteran - and sending him into a PTSD-triggering hallucinogenic fight zone in season two should have had major repercussions, but it was handwaved away; Sherlock thenwent on to once again drug John and his wife and Sherlock's own family in season three, again with no consequences. Sherlock's hubris led to him murdering a man in cold blood, but not even this choice resulted in punishment - his friends simply brushed off the idea that Sherlock should have to pay for his crime, just as they accept everything else about him. As a result, the same hubris that led to Sherlock killing Charles Magnussen in season three ends up getting Mary ( Amanda Abbington) killed in season four.

Then there's Sherlock's use of John in an elaborate (and never explained) plot to fake his death for two years. This should have been framed as a huge betrayal leading to serious trust issues at the least - but instead they just fought for an episode and got drunk enough to reestablish their bond, and the rest of season three revolved around the question of whether John should trust his own wife instead.

The end of season four's second episode feints toward acknowledging this problem, when Sherlock asks Mrs. Hudson to use a code word - a word representing the moment when his hubris got Mary killed - to tell him if he gets too self-satisfied or starts acting with too much hubris. It's the most remorse and self-awareness he's shown the entire series; but it leads nowhere and comes far too late.

2) The show prioritizes grandiose plot twists over logical development and satisfying conclusions

It could be argued that Sherlock was a weird show about a pair of megalomaniacs - Moffat and Gatiss. The pair constructed every episode of Sherlock around one far-fetched unrealistic plot after another, but left their audience hanging time and again when it came to actual resolutions. And every time, the show presented the dangling plot as a clever innovation rather than a frustrating loose end.

For example, after Sherlock faked his death at the end of season two, the show took great glee in opening season three, two years later, by presenting the many fan theories about how Sherlock was able to survive the fall in the previous episode. Instead of giving viewers an actual resolution, it gave us several possible resolutions - and then never actually explained what really happened.

This was typical of S herlock: Whenever it came close to presenting real drama with meaty narrative consequences, it consistently halted mid-act and just walked away from the entire plot point as though it didn't matter. The result was that Sherlock, Moriarty, and Mycroft each became larger-than-life mythical figures who could miraculously rewrite fate again and again.

Again and again, fans challenged Moffat and Gatiss to explain how Sherlock could get away with so much, and again and again Moffat and Gatiss eschewed the need for any explanation at all. "I think people have come to think a plot hole is something which isn't explained on screen," Moffat said in response to complaints about season three. "A plot hole is actually something that can't be explained." At the end of season four, Gatiss told people to " go and read a children's book " instead if they didn't want to be "challenged" by Sherlock's convoluted plot contrivances.

In other words, Sherlock's lack of plot resolution was a study in storyteller ego, rather than plausibility. And it left Sherlock feeling like a jittery, endless loop of high drama that ultimately went nowhere.

3) Female characters are consistently hollow props for Sherlock

Here's how you transform Sherlock from a deeply flawed junkie whose selfishness drives away everyone around him into a mythical superhero whose cleverness ultimately keeps everyone by his side and in his thrall: Make sure that every action every other character takes winds up being about Sherlock himself.

This tendency is most noticeable in the writing of the women around Sherlock. Because characters like Molly, Mrs. Hudson, Irene Adler, and Mary are so thinly written to begin with, it's hard not to notice that they all turn out to be, again and again, props for Sherlock's ego and/or schemes. They ultimately have no agency of their own outside of whatever Sherlock needs them to be.

When Sherlock needs a convenient shill in the morgue, there's Molly, conveniently putting aside her own unrequited love for him to help him. When Sherlock needs to confront his humanity through red-blooded sexual attraction to a woman (since Moffat had scoffed repeatedly at the idea of him being either queer or asexual), there's Irene Adler, a self-described lesbian, inexplicably and immediately falling in love with Sherlock anyway. When John needs a therapist to help him address his grief over Mary's death - surprise! Turns out she's only spending weeks with John in order to get to Sherlock.

And then there's Mary, the one independent character who could have removed John from Sherlock's orbit completely. But she ultimately gets so wrapped up in Sherlock's orbit herself that she not only sacrifices her own life for him, but goes so far as topre-record a series of encouraging messages for both her husband and Sherlock, urging them to go on solving crimes together because they belong together, or something.

The reason for this recurring pattern in Sherlock's female characters is clear and frustrating:Moffat has stated before that he thinks women's primary reason for watching Sherlock is one of sexual attraction, saying "our female fan base all believe that they'll be the one to melt that glacier." He couldn't be more wrong about women, and it shows in his writing.

4) Mycroft is overused as deus ex machina

In order to believe that Sherlock could fake his own death for years and return with no one being the wiser; murder someone and get away clean; and never know about the existence of a sister who occasionally broke out of a high-security prison in order to send him reaction GIFs of Moriarty, we have to believe that Sherlock's older, allegedly smarter brother Mycroftis basically the god of Great Britain.

And apparently he is. Sherlock describes Mycroft thusly: "He is the British government." This seems to be all the explanation needed for why Mycroft is able to be everywhere, know everything, and keep his brother out of trouble to a logic-defying degree. In terms of accountability he seems to be answerable to no one, which means Mycroft can pull whatever strings are necessary to keep Sherlock from going to jail, or even facing trial after killing someone.

What makes this continued reliance on Mycroft especially mind-boggling is that he often makes terrible decisions that have no fallout. He tries to work with Moriarty, even though Moriarty is a sociopath who's caused mass chaos and has it out for Sherlock; he tries to work with his own sister, even though she literally brainwashes anyone who talks to her.

Given all this, the way in which he seems to orchestrate acts of God again and again in order to compensate for his brother's antics has started to seem less quirky and endearing, and more like a convenient way for the show to avoid any kind of continuity.

5) Moriarty is a constant distraction

To be sure, Andrew Scott 's Moriarty was a gift to the show, but once he was dead, he should have stayed dead. But since he was so popular, the narrative constantly brought him back as a specter, implying that Moriarty had planned dark and impenetrable plots to keep Sherlock busy long after his death.

In reality - probably since the show never knew whether it was going to continue from one season to the next - all that teasing never paid off. We learned in the season four finale that Moriarty had used Sherlock's sister to distribute a few taunting messages to Sherlock after his death, but that's ... it. How disappointing.

And then there's the fact that the threat of Moriarty's return was the reason Sherlock never had to pay for killing Magnussen. Now that it's established that Moriarty was never back at all, shouldn't Sherlock face the punishment he evaded?

It almost certainly won't happen, though. Instead, Moriarty will go down as Sherlock 's biggest distraction, and not a very good one, from the series' most consistent issue: It couldn't maintain any narrative cohesion or direction.

However, Moriarty does function as a fitting metaphor for the problems that plagued Sherlock since his first appearance in season one: Much like Moriarty himself, the series has proven to be full of a lot of ego and showmanship, but ultimately not much else.

Watch: How a TV show gets made

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
5 mistakes Sherlock made in its journey from high entertainment to convoluted spectacle

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The fourth season confirmed the show's worst impulses as an unsatisfying, auteur ego trip.

# data[].attributes.body
Benedict Cumberbatch has urged fans not to film his performance as Hamlet, describing the experience of it as “mortifying”.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Highlights

He says they think the 'Internet's boyfriend' can't belong to anyone else

Benedict Cumberbatch has accused fans of 'stalking' him

The Sherlock star says people say his family is 'PR stunt'

London: Actor Benedict Cumberbatch has hit out at the "obsessive" sections of his fan base for "stalking" him and appearing "deluded."

Benedict, whose fans have nicknamed themselves 'Cumberbitches' in the past, laid to rest conspiracy theories surrounding his family life, reports Mirror.

"There are people who believe that my wife is a PR stunt and my child is a PR stunt," he told Vanity Fair magazine.

"I think really it's to do with the idea that the 'Internet's boyfriend' can't actually belong to anyone else but the Internet," he said.

"'It's impossible he belongs to anyone but me.' And that's what stalking is. That's what obsessive, deluded, really scary behaviour is," added the Sherlock actor.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Benedict Cumberbatch Talks About Obsessed Fans' 'Scary Behaviour'

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
"There are people who believe that my wife is a PR stunt and my child is a PR stunt," he said

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Benedict Cumberbatch has urged fans not to film his performance as Hamlet, describing the experience of it as "mortifying".

The actor, who is playing the lead in the fastest-selling play in British history, said there was "nothing less supportive or enjoyable" than being on stage and seeing a "big red light" from an audience member's camera.

Cumberbatch made the plea to crowds gathered outside the Barbican in London after his Saturday performance, which was reportedly halted twice because of technical difficulties.

He complained that restarting the play had been made even harder by the "blindingly obvious" filming by "someone in the third row".

Cumberbatch asked fans at the stage door to put technology to good use and spread his message through social media, warning that future offenders would be evicted from the show.

Addressing the crowd, he said: "What I really want to do is try and enlist you. I don't really use social media, but I'd really appreciate it if you did tweet, blog, hashtag the shit out of this one for me."

He added: "This isn't me blaming you, this is just me asking you to just ripple it out there, in the brilliant beautiful way that you do with your funny electronic things."

Cumberbatch made his debut as Hamlet on Wednesday, receiving mixed reviews from critics who attended before press night. In the video, recorded by a fan, he said it had been "one hell of a week".

The Daily Mail's Jan Moir hailed Cumberbatch's performance as "electrifying" and gave the production five stars.

But Kate Maltby in the Times was less impressed, labelling the production "Hamlet for kids raised on Moulin Rouge" and giving it just two stars.

"Cumberbatch has all the energy Hamlet requires, sweating around the Barbican stage like an oleaginous electric eel, but there's little subtlety in this performance," she said.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Benedict Cumberbatch asks fans to resist filming his Hamlet

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Actor says being filmed during his performance is 'mortifying' and warns that theatre will evict offenders

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
This is what Benedict Cumberbatch thinks of his 'Cumberbitches'

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Ahhh, the Cumberbitches - for those of you who don't know, this is what fans of Benedict Cumberbatch call themselves. And they're currently very excited

# data[].attributes.body
In the past we haven’t featured younger men very often in our Gentleman of Style series, but Benedict Cumberbatch is an exception. While style is inherently part of an actor’s image, Mr. Cumberbatch’s style beautifully brings together the elements of a classic wardrobe with excellent attention to detail, fit, and a modern flair.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
In the past we haven't featured younger men very often in our Gentleman of Style series, but Benedict Cumberbatch is an exception. While style is inherently part of an actor's image, Mr. Cumberbatch's style beautifully brings together the elements of a classic wardrobe with excellent attention to detail, fit, and a modern flair.

Though he certainly has an actor's budget, Benedict Cumberbatch is one of the few young actors in Hollywood that embraces classic style in a way that is both distinctive and approachable. Let's take a look at his career and style.

The Early Years

Born in London in 1976, Benedict Timothy Carlton Cumberbatch has the honor of using three letters after his name since November 2015, when the Queen appointed him Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. The title of CBE is granted to those with considerable achievements in the arts, sciences, and charities.

His family is no stranger to the thespian art. His father, Timothy Carlton, has had a long career on stage, in TV, and in the movies. Benedict grandfather, Henry Cumberbatch, was a naval officer of both World Wars and a member of London's high society. As Benedict himself said once, "I was brought up in a world of privilege". And his mother, Wanda Ventham, is known for her role as Colonel Virginia Lake in the 1970s sci-fi TV series UFO. We won't comment on his looks, which obviously didn't harm his career either.

Acting Career

Without a doubt, Benedict Cumberbatch's career is on the rise. The theater - with a focus on Shakespeare - was his first acting venue: he played Titania (from A Midsummer Night's Dream) at 12. His drama teacher at Harrow School, Martin Tyrell, said he was "the best schoolboy actor" he had ever met.

On his gap year, he volunteered to teach English at a Tibetan monastery in India and then studied Drama at the U. of Manchester. After that, an MA in Classical Art at the LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art) refined his talents. It was announced recently that Cumberbatch will succeed Timothy West as President of LAMDA.

What about playing both Victor Frankenstein and his creature? That is what he did on alternating nights in a stage production of Mary Shelley's famous novel in 2011. The monster was a lucky charm, for he received what is called the "Triple Crown of London Theatre" in the same year: he received the Olivier Award, Evening Standard Award and Critics' Circle Theatre Award for his performance.

The first decade of 2000 saw him appear frequently on the television, but his first hit was the 2004 BBC television film Hawking, showing the scientist's early years at Cambridge. His performance earned him the Golden Nymph for Best Performance by an Actor in a TV Film or Miniseries, as well as his first nomination for a BAFTA TV Award for Best Actor.

In 2010, he portrayed both Van Gogh and Sherlock Holmes, a role that also granted him lead actor nominations.

His filmography is ample, and it starts with a first movie called To Kill a King (2003), where he plays a royalist. The role of William Pitt the Younger in Amazing Grace (2006) garnered him a nomination for British Breakthrough Acting Award for the London Film Critics Circle.

His first lead actor role was in Third Star (2010) as James, a young dying writer that goes on one last trip to Wales with some friends. Adam Robertson, one of the producers, said that "He was just perfect. You believed he was a writer, he had that kind of poetry. The first draft was quite dialogue-heavy and for Benedict, it wasn't an issue." After that, Spielberg directed him as Major Jamie Stewart in the 2011 War Horse drama.

Fans of Tolkien heard Cumberbatch as Smaug the Dragon and as the Necromancer in The Hobbit trilogy (2012-14); the dragon's expressions and movements were also his. (I recognized the eyebrows!). Benedict Cumberbatch was also cast Khan in the 2013 Star Trek Into Darkness, directed by J. J. Abrams; the role was originally portrayed by Ricardo Montalbán for the Star Trek TV series.

Also of 2013 are The Fifth Estate with BC as Julian Assange of Wikileaks fame; 12 Years a Slave as William Prince Ford, a slave owner; and Charles Aiken in August: Osage County, a movie for which he recorded a song. One of my favorite Cumberbatch performances is his Alan Turing in The Imitation Game (2014): this role earned him nominations for the Golden Globe, BAFTA, SAG (Screen Actors Guild), and Academy Award for Best Actor. His stirring performance of the persecuted cryptologist led him, according to Wikipedia, "in an open letter published in The Guardian on 31 January 2015, Cumberbatch asked for pardons of all gay and bisexual men who were convicted under the same now-defunct 'indecency' laws as Alan Turing was."

Comic book fans surely enjoyed his portrayal of Doctor Strange (2016). At the San Diego Comic-Con in the same year, he promoted the movie in a simple gray t-shirt, one of his sartorial tricks: always try to blend (and not stand out) in a given situation.

And do it naturally, with sprezzatura, the near-magical quality that Cumberbatch seems to dominate and that was defined by The Book of the Courtier's author, Baldassare Castiglione: "to avoid affectation in every way possible as though it were some rough and dangerous reef; and (to pronounce a new word perhaps) to practice in all things a certain sprezzatura [nonchalance], so as to conceal all art and make whatever is done or said appear to be without effort and almost without any thought about it." (We've talked about it here, for instance.)

Family

He met Sophie Hunter (b. 1978 at the set of 2009's Burlesque Fairytales, a 2009 drama. She studied avant-garde theatre in Paris and trained at the Saratoga International Theatre Institute in New York City. Fluent in French and Italian, she is also a skilled pianist. The couple married on February 14, 2015, on the Isle of Wight and they have two sons, Christopher Carlton (2015) and Hal Auden (2017).

His Style

Stylistically, Mr. Cumberbatch is unique in Hollywood in that he rarely tries to call attention to himself with his fashion choices. He's often commented on his "posh" British upbringing, which undoubtedly influenced his more traditional approach to fashion. That being said, his effortless and always-appropriate attire make him notable as an example of the style of a modern gentleman.

He appears to wear formal clothes more comfortably than less formal attire; in fact, casual attire doesn't seem to suit him or his natural style tendencies. While most of his suits are crisp and well-cut, the aforementioned gray t-shirt he wore to Comic-Con in 2016 was too large and it was paired awkwardly with dress pants and sneakers. It seems that he dresses down when the occasion requires it, but even in his more casual private moments, he prefers button-down shirts and cardigans paired with slim fit chinos.

He likes Spencer Hart suits, dark suits (navy, midnight blue or black), shirts with initials (mostly white), tweed jackets, scarves, layers, and the occasional monochromatic outfit. As perfumes go, he enjoys Hermès fragrances such as Terre d'Hermes. His signature accessories are scarves, flat caps, thick glasses, and trilbies.

He knows his body type and therefore what looks good on him. He's a tall, thin man, and he wears trimly cut suits and pants, which he pairs with thin lapels and narrow ties. He favors classic outerwear, such as trench coats, simple overcoats, leather jackets and waxed cotton jackets (often called a Barbour jacket).

Overall, his style tends towards classics; he clearly enjoys a more formal style than the average actor his age, and he wears exceptionally good black and white tie. In fact, he's probably the only high-profile attendee of Met Ball that actually wore a proper white tie ensemble without a major faux pas. This is a man that clearly understands the rules of classic style, even if he does choose to break them from time to time.

He generally wears a pocket square and a tie with a jacket, and when he goes without neckwear, he's careful to select more casual jackets such as this linen, patch pocket jacket in a rust color. Here he "breaks" the rules by pairing this combination with a more formal peaked lapel.

He is aware of the power of a good hat, such as in these pictures: at the 2014 French Open Men's Final in Paris he dons a Lacoste with Persol sunglasses, grey trousers, and a blue straw hat, as well as ... white tennis shoes, of course.

At the Chelsea Flower Show (also in 2014), he wears a white straw hat with a light gray blazer and salmon shirt.

In this picture, the hat is a dark gray fedora - a la Sinatra - worn with a black leather jacket, gray trousers (no belt but suspenders) and black shoes, showing a cool, relaxed look.

Here, at the 2015 edition of Wimbledon, he sports a Panama hat with a striped jacket and white shirt that seems to be linen.

In yet another day of that tennis tournament, his preference leaned towards a Richard James suit, shirt, and tie, with a Wimbledon button pinned below the boutonnière. His father, at his left, was also quite elegant in a striped jacket, pink shirt and matching tie.

He seems absolutely at ease in formalwear, such as this white tie by Tom Ford worn at the Met Gala in 2014, when he was seen along with Tom Ford himself. Anna Wintour, the USA Vogue editor, was quoted saying BC was the only person to "hit the white tie theme right on the head."

Nominated for an Academy Award, he showed up at the event in a nice summery dinner jacket with shawl collar designed by Scabal, once again complemented by an almost invisible black pocket square with Cumberbatch's signature TV fold.

Sometimes, such as in this Royal Opera House concert on February 2015, a few days before his marriage, he likes to coordinate colors with his wife, Sophie Hunter. The black tuxedo jacket is complemented with a small button saying "Save Soho", a campaign to protect the performing acts in London's Soho from the CrossRail 2 which Cumberbatch embraced.

The blue velvet tuxedo was his choice for the Berlin premiere of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, in 2013. The perfect fit betrays the bespoke origins of the attire.

At the world premiere of "The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies" in Leicester Square, BC chose a silk lined Giorgio Armani dinner jacket tie, this time a regular one - showing that when you know the rules, you can to break them. That being said, we still believe a dinner jacket looks much better with a black bow tie. In this case, one in black velvet bow tie or one matching the lapel silk would have been superb.

When Queen Elizabeth decorated him with the CBE cross, he wore a bespoke morning suit with pearl-gray tie and a nice touch - a Remembrance Poppy enamel brooch. After all, the ceremony was in November, and the poppy is worn then to commemorate military personnel who died in war.

Obviously, he can also look dapper in everyday suits or jackets, such as the Dolce & Gabbana trimmed grey jacket with a burgundy Richard James shirt he wore at the Variety Studio event. He was promoting The Imitation Game at the Toronto International Film Festival with Keira Knightley - she played the role of Joan Clarke, the only female codebreaker to work in Alan Turing's group.

Oh, Yes: his socks matched the shirt!

In 2013, in an event celebrating The Global Fund at Apsley House, BC wore an Alexander McQueen windowpane suit with a skull print tie and - yup, you guessed it - a crisp pocket square.

During the premiere of 12 Years a Slave in Toronto, in 2013, his choice was a tieless grey peaked-lapel, two-buttons fit suit with a white shirt and black shoes.

As Holmes, he is seen here with Martin Freeman (Dr. Watson) in a navy tweed overcoat and another of his signature accessories - the Paul Smith scarf.

On The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, in 2016, he donned a navy Burberry suit and a matching shirt.

How to Get Benedict Cumberbatch's Signature Look

1. Dress up. When in doubt, choose slightly more formal attire for the occasion.

2. Learn the rules. While Mr. Cumberbatch was brought up with British sartorial tradition, he's a great example of first learning the rules so you can break them elegantly, rather than brashly.

3. Embrace layers. Classic layering is flattering and stylish on everyone.

4. Wear what looks good on you. Since he's tall and thin, you won't see Mr. Cumberbatch wearing pleats anytime soon, since they would overwhelm his frame.

5. Keep the color palette muted. Even though we're a big fan of color, a wardrobe composed of navy, gray, white, blue, and green is incredibly versatile.

6. Wear classic pieces with modern cuts. Mr. Cumberbatch favors trim (but not too trim!) dress pants, suit jackets, and cardigans.

7. Wear a hat. He may be trying to hide from the paparazzi, but a hat is undoubtedly a classic and stylish accessory for winter and summer.

8. Don't forget the scarf. It's an accessory he favors more than others.

9. Master black and white tie. This is Mr. Cumberbatch's forte - when the pressure is on to look dapper, he always delivers because he knows how important the rules of classic style are with the black and white tie.

10. Buy classic brands. You won't see Mr. Cumberbatch wearing Kanye West's clothing anytime soon. When he chooses a certain garment or accessory, he goes with the classic brand: Ray-Ban for Wayfarers, Lacoste for polos, or Barbour for waxed cotton jackets.

Conclusion

The Benedict Cumberbatch style has a few clear points, such as the discrete pocket square, dress code mastery, wearing what looks good on you, and rules that are bent every now and then. He's a modern Gentleman of Style. What do you think of Benedict Cumberbatch's style?

For more about him you might want to check him out on IMDB or the unofficial guide to him.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Gentleman Of Style: Benedict Cumberbatch

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Benedict Cumberbatch is not only an excellent actor but also one of the most stylish men in Hollywood.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Benedict Cumberbatch is a true gentleman #benedictcumberbatch #benice #gentleman

# data[].attributes.headline
He always wears impeccably tailored suits, complemented by a pristine pocket square or a superb pair of shoes, particularly velvet slippers or patent leather Oxfords.

# data[].attributes.subject
He always wears impeccably tailored suits, complemented by a pristine pocket square or a superb pair of shoes, particularly velvet slippers or patent leather Oxfords.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
You'll find fewer British actors right now with a more varied CV than Benedict Cumberbatch, having played John Harrison, Julian Assange, Hamlet, Khan and a certain dragon called Smaug. And while the Londoner has garnered a swathe of female supporters for his leading role in the BBC's Sherlock (and his gentlemanly engagement announcement to Sophie Hunter), it was his 2014 portrayal of Alan Turing in The Imitation Game where he really hit his stride, earning him an Oscar nod for Best Actor.

But whatever role he's going for on-screen, you can be certain he'll be looking sharp on the red carpet, thanks in part to a penchant for a well-cut Spencer Hart suit. Cumberbatch is a big fan of the black DJ, and you'll regularly find him championing proportions ranging from a penny collar and slim tie to a Seventies double shawl collar. As a smart dresser, he knows the key is in the details, which is why you'll rarely see him without a crisp, white pocket square or a pair of superb shoes - most notably velvet slippers or patent Oxfords.

Even when he's not on official duties, Cumberbatch's eye for tailoring doesn't falter, and as a guy in his 30s he knows the key to nailing this era is to make suits the backbone of your wardrobe. That's why you'll regularly find him paring-down his best suits by swapping out the trousers for his best selvedge on downtime days.

Want to see his style in action? Check out his best looks in the gallery below, then we break down the style moves you need to steal.

Keep it simple

While it's always great to experiment with trends, it's hard to beat a freshly-ironed white shirt paired up with a plain black or navy tie if you're in doubt about a dress code.

Stock up on suits

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
See how Sherlock perfects his red carpet style by browsing through his strongest looks and best outfits to date