Benedict Cumberbatch is one of the world’s most famous actors. However, before he became a global superstar, the actor knew he had gotten a role that would change his life with ‘Sherlock’.
Looking back on the audition that changed his career, the actor admitted he knew taking on the legendary detective would bring a level of attention he had never experienced before.
Benedict Cumberbatch On The Audition That Changed His Career Forever
In a recent interview with the Dish podcast, Cumberbatch discussed the early years of Sherlock, and how the BBC series came at the right time in television history, as social media changed the way people consume entertainment. “It was still a watercooler moment, It was an event. It was still something that could grab people.”
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Before ‘Sherlock‘, Cumberbatch says he was happy just doing what he loved. He had steady work, enjoyed working with talented individuals, and was not really interested in being a celebrity. “I guess it was also an iconic character. So I knew people would look. Until that point, I didn’t want anything to do with fame. I was very happy, lucky enough to be working, enjoying my job, working with great people.”
However, when the opportunity arose to audition for Sherlock Holmes, he knew it was something special. “And then this audition came up, and I was like, ‘Wow, if I get this, this is going to be quite a step change, because the character alone, people are going to take interest in it.’”
Sherlock Holmes was already an iconic figure in fiction, and he knew that audiences would want to see a more modern take on the character. He felt that people would pay attention even if they were not interested. That realization was both thrilling and daunting for the actor.
Why ‘Sherlock’ Became A Global Phenomenon
Cumberbatch also reflected on the unique moment in pop culture when ‘Sherlock‘ premiered. He described it as the dawn of Twitter and the era when online conversations about television were just beginning to explode.
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The actor said the show became something that viewers could talk about with friends, family and co-workers after it aired. At the same time, social media allowed fans around the world to react instantly, creating an entirely new kind of shared viewing experience.
The combination worked. ‘Sherlock’ wasn’t just another detective show; it was a worldwide phenomenon that catapulted Cumberbatch to the masses and paved the way for some of the biggest roles he’s ever had, like Marvel’s Doctor Strange.
In retrospect, it’s obvious that Cumberbatch got it right. He knew that Sherlock would change his life even before he got the part. Few actors can predict a career-defining role so accurately, but in this case, the future unfolded almost exactly as he imagined.
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