Benedict Cumberbatch 'cynical' about 'Elementary'

Benedict Cumberbatch is a 'bit cynical' about the US version of Sherlock, which is fair enough, the chosen title doesn't instill much confidence. However, for Benedict, the issues run deeper than that.

To recap, the British actor plays the leading character in the UK's 'Sherlock' and while he wishes those in the US show - which also tells the story of fictional detective Sherlock Holmes in a modern setting - the 'best of luck', he did tell lead actor Jonny Lee Miller he would rather he didn't take part. Namely because Benedict feels he should be cast in the role (just an assumption).

He said: "It's very odd. I did say to Jonny, 'Well, I'd prefer you didn't do it but you've got a kid to feed, a nice house in Los Angeles and a wife to keep in good clothes. When you get used to a certain standard of living and they waft a pay cheque at you, what are you going to do? I think Jonny was like, 'Mate, I've got a f**king mountain to climb here, you've got nothing to fear.' I wish him the best of luck, but I'm a bit cynical about why they've chosen to do it and why they cast him..."

Benedict saw the pilot script of the series, and admits he does not feel 'threatened' by what he read.

He added to Shortlist magazine: "I got hold of the pilot script just to check it out. I don't know, we'll see. I think there's room for us both to co-exist. I don't feel threatened by it and I wish him the best, which is as diplomatic as I can be."

You might want to dump your grapes there. They're looking a bit off.


 

Story by Sheena McGinley | 09:43 | Friday 31st August 2012 | TV News

653

Comments

• Tara

  I, too, wish Jonny the best of luck; however, Benedict has absolutely nothing to fear, so he wouldn't be the least bit threatened by Elementary. There is nothing, and no one, who can top Benedict's performance as Sherlock, or match the exquisite writing of the Moffat-Gatiss team. I'm in America, and I can tell you that I won't be watching Elementary because there is only one Sherlock as far as I'm concerned. Benedict and Jonny are good friends, so I am quite sure he really does wish Jonny well and there are no sour grapes. I wish the media would stop trying to twist words and make things sound worse than they are intended.

  Posted 15:40 | Sat 29th Sep 2012

Log in to leave a comment

Login or register to leave a comment

Enter your email:

Enter Password: Lost Your Password?