Benedict Cumberbatch recently recounted a distressing incident from his past during an interview with Variety, disclosing that he was kidnapped while working on the BBC miniseries To The Ends of the Earth in South Africa in 2004. The 48-year-old actor, along with his companions, was returning from a diving excursion when their tyre burst. After stopping on the roadside, they were confronted by six men who proceeded to rob and abduct them, keeping them captive for several hours before ultimately releasing them and escaping.

Cumberbatch shares his experience after being kidnapped

The 48-year-old actor disclosed to Variety how the incident fundamentally altered his perspective. He stated, “It provided me with a sense of time, albeit not a positive one. It instilled in me an impatience to pursue a life that is anything but ordinary, and I continue to grapple with that impatience.”

He elaborated, “The near-death experience intensified those feelings. It prompted me to realize, ‘Oh, right, I could die at any moment.’ I began engaging in extreme activities, such as skydiving, and taking various risks. However, aside from my parents, I had no significant dependents at that time.”

Cumberbatch also mentioned that the incident transformed him into an adrenaline seeker during his late twenties. He remarked, “That perspective has since shifted, which brings a sense of sobriety. I have peered over the edge; it has made me at ease with what lies beneath. I have come to terms with the fact that this is the conclusion of all our narratives.” A decade after the incident, he married Sophie Hunter and is now the father of three sons: Christopher, 9, Hal, 7, and Finn, 6.

He expressed, “Once you have children, this awareness of time becomes significantly more profound,” Cumberbatch shared with Variety. “My youngest is turning 6 tomorrow, and I realize, ‘I will be in my 60s when he turns 21.’ It’s astonishing. Time has flown by. This brings about a substantial shift in priorities, prompting you to appreciate how you spend your life in a markedly different manner.”

He previously recounted the incident in 2013 with The Hollywood Reporter, where he admitted, “I was terrified, genuinely terrified. I asked: ‘What are you going to do with us? Are you going to kill us?’ I was deeply concerned that I might be raped, molested, or subjected to some form of torture or control.” Following the incident, Cumberbatch began to value his life more deeply, stating, “It truly enriches your values in life. It is of utmost importance,” as reported by the New York Post.

Cumberbatch reflects on the intense attention to his physique

Cumberbatch discussed the intense response to his physical appearance following his rise to fame. He gained widespread recognition after portraying Sherlock Holmes in the BBC series Sherlock in 2010, which led to fans being drawn to his unique looks and clever humour. He expressed discomfort regarding his unexpected status as a sex symbol, particularly after being dubbed the “thinking woman’s crumpet” by the media at that time.

In an interview with Variety, the Doctor Strange actor remarked, “I’m not Brad, I’m not Leonardo, I’m not a conventional movie star. People were eager to understand ‘What makes him attractive to us?’ However, attempting to analyze that feels oddly self-indulgent.”

He further stated, “I don’t spend my time pondering, ‘Why am I considered attractive?’ Like everyone else, I have concerns about my appearance as I age.” He also conveyed his frustration with the label “celebrity,” asserting, “It’s quite derogatory and groups all famous individuals together.” He questioned, “Am I a ‘celebrated’ individual? For what reason? For selling cheese? For appearing on a reality show? For engaging in outrageous behaviour? For being an actor?” as reported by The Independent.

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