Washington [US]: Benedict Cumberbatch, famed for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes in the BBC series Sherlock (2010–2017), has hinted at the possibility of returning to the iconic role—if the material surpasses the high standards set by the original.
Speaking with Variety about his upcoming project, The Thing With Feathers, the 48-year-old actor reflected on his love for the character while emphasizing that any return would have to offer something extraordinary.
“It would take it to be better than it ever was,” Cumberbatch said, recognizing the challenge of living up to the series’ global acclaim. He added, “You leave them or yourselves wanting more. There’s always that itch to scratch, but it would have to be the superlative version of what we’ve already achieved.”
Despite his attachment to Sherlock, Cumberbatch expressed his desire not to be defined by a single role. At a fan event in Australia during the show’s run, he told audiences:
“Guys, I know you really like Sherlock, but if you’re with me, I’m not going to always do the same thing. I’m not going to always be the Benedict that you expect. You might not like some of the stuff I do.”
This sentiment reflects his broader approach to acting: “I want to surprise myself and surprise you.”
Beyond acting, Cumberbatch has been heavily involved in his production company, SunnyMarch, which he co-founded in 2013. Through SunnyMarch, he has been producing content that tackles meaningful and urgent stories. He described the company’s focus as bringing “niche art-house cinema” and “difficult subjects” to the forefront, often taking on acting roles in these projects to help secure funding.
“These are urgent stories that we feel a need to tell,” he said.
Cumberbatch also candidly addressed the challenges of fame, expressing his distaste for the label “celebrity.” He critiqued the term for being overly broad, saying:
“It just lumps anyone famous together. Am I a ‘celebrated’ person? Well, for what? For selling cheese? For being on a reality show? For doing something outrageous? For being an actor?”
As he balances his career between acting and producing, fans may still hold out hope for a return to Baker Street—if the perfect story comes along.