😄Benedict Cumberbatch joked about his sex symbol status, saying, “I’m just aging like any other fool.”

The actor gained fame in 2010 for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes in the popular series Sherlock. He redefined the legendary detective as a pompous, slightly sociopathic genius. Initially, audiences struggled to accept this take, but soon they couldn’t take their eyes off the awkward Benedict. A classically trained theater actor, he became the most unlikely sex symbol, with British tabloids calling him a favorite of women. Benedict, however, takes this unofficial title with irony.

“I’m not Brad, I’m not Leonardo, I’m not your typical movie star. People tried to figure out: ‘Why do we like him?’ But for me, trying to guess or understand that is damn strange. I don’t sit and think, ‘Why am I sexy?’ I’m just concerned with myself when I look in the mirror, aging like any other idiot,” Benedict shared.

The two-time Oscar nominee is also skeptical about the term “celebrity.” He admitted that he doesn’t identify with it and feels uncomfortable with the trappings of stardom. “It’s so degrading, lumping all famous people into one pile. Am I a famous person? For selling cheese? For being on a reality show? For doing something outrageous? For being an actor?” he asked.

Benedict also confessed that he was afraid of being typecast as “Sherlock.” He worked hard to make sure people didn’t see him solely as the character created by Arthur Conan Doyle. “I told them, ‘Guys, I know you love Sherlock, but if you’re with me, I’m not always going to do the same thing. I won’t always be the Benedict you expect. You might not like what I do. Sometimes I’ll be sweet and likable, other times ugly and unapproachable. But I want to grow, surprise myself, and surprise you,’” the actor explained.

He also nearly became a victim of typecasting due to his role as Doctor Strange in the Marvel films. Directors and casting agents saw him as a comic book hero and thought he could never take on serious roles. But Benedict didn’t give up and always wanted more. While the role takes up much of his time, he uses his fame and finances to create risky, unconventional projects that Hollywood doesn’t support. To do so, he founded the production company SunnyMarch in 2013.

Now, the Emmy and BAFTA TV award winner is preparing for the film The Creature with Feathers, where he plays a grieving man who, after his wife’s sudden death, is left to care for their two sons. He admitted that portraying such heart-wrenching grief in this dark drama was challenging for him, as he grew up in London in an environment that valued restraint and decorum. “The Brit in me is a little embarrassed about how deeply I dive into what I’m doing,” he said.

Benedict also explained why he rarely speaks about his wife, Sophie Hunter, and their three sons. According to him, he stopped viewing interviews as therapy sessions a long time ago. Additionally, Benedict has turned away from social media. “The older I get, the less I care about it. There’s a whole audience out there with expectations of you, feelings towards you, judgments about you. That’s their business, and you can’t change or influence it. I’m still figuring out who I am. So why the hell should they know me!” the actor added.