I watched Season 2 of Spooks, but never noticed Benedict Cumberbatch was in one of the episodes. He looked so young! And scared. Oh please, “I believe in freedom of information” bla bla bla, obviously you’re just doing it for the money.
Awww, look at that sweet, naive smile.
Do you even have to ask??
The infamous scene from Sherlock S02E01 (A Scandal in Belgravia). I forgot that the woman who plays Irene Adler (Lara Pulver) was also in the final season of Spooks. I was wondering where I had seen her before while watching the episode.
Interesting interview with Benedict Cumberbatch about Season 2 of Sherlock currently airing in the US on PBS. Apparently HBO considered picking up the show at one point, but decided not to because it has too few episodes (3 every season):
But there’s also the complaint of not having more volume or capacity. HBO wanted [to air “Sherlock”], but was like, “Three [episodes]? Come on — we do series.” Although now they’re kicking themselves [for not picking up the show], but there you go. But the thing is, we do one-and-a- half hour films, and if you really want to be pedantic, that’s nine half-hour episodes, so it’s not far off from a 12-episode series.
Cumberbatch on the reaction of his fellow actors to his current success (and being self-deprecating about his looks, heh):
Maybe that’s the case, but most of my friends who are actors are just really, really thrilled with what I’ve got. It’s kind of humbling, actually, just to be that supported by people. People say, “It’s really nice it’s happened to somebody we’ve watched be good over the years.” And at least, you know, I’ve started at the same level with everybody. And it’s nice because I’m not as good-looking as James and there’s an awful lot I can’t do that they can do. And it’s great that just by craft you can get where I’ve gone. That’s really thrilling. I’m very grateful for the opportunities that I’ve been given.
Cumberbatch encouraging people to watch Sherlock instead of Game of Thrones:
You’re in the middle of the season of “Game of Thrones” now. Take three weeks for a watercooler moment, give yourselves a break from slaving through 12 episodes of quality, and just look at three films of quality. Then you can get back to watching your recordings. And you’ll need something to look forward to after the three [episodes of “Sherlock”] because you’ll be craving for more. How pompous does that sound? [Laughs.]
On how damaged Sherlock Holmes is or isn’t:
I don’t think he’s damaged at all. I think it’s all self-inflicted. I think what this [season] is about is humanizing him, making you realize there’s actually an adolescent that is being repressed from childhood purposely in order try and become the ultimate, calculating deduction machine. And he can’t actually do that. These three challenges [in Season 2, one in each episode] humanize him through love, horror and the ultimate thriller, I suppose, through his faceoff with Moriarty. I think what we try to do anyway is remind the audience that somebody that they have fallen in love with for being heroic is somebody who had to let vulnerability into his life, as he sees it, which is emotion, a moral compass of some sort, honor, defending your friends and what you hold dear, and actually being on the side of the good guys.
On what “happines” means to Sherlock Holmes:
[Sits up, contemplates.] I think happiness for Sherlock is knowing that he’s right. It’s really that simple. [Another pause.] He gets solace out of the violin, he gets solace out of intellect and talent. I don’t think he finds happiness in that. I think the only time he’s truly joyful is when the game is on, the hunt’s afoot and there’s something to be solved — and then when he’s solved it. And during the in-between he gets very frustrated with things, with the process. Not his inadequacies, because he doesn’t see himself as having many. But it’s the beginning and the end of things he loves. That’s what makes him happy. Having a problem and solving it.
On embracing current technology on Sherlock:
Well, the thing about Sherlock Holmes in the original is that he’s very, very techno-literate. I mean to a contemporary Victorian reader he was a sort of cutting-edge scientist. He was well up with all the stuff. He was also born for the Internet age because he loves research. He loves acquiring knowledge. So I just imagined that, you know, the Sherlock would be lurking on the chat rooms and forums and finding out what’s going on. So far from being a difficult thing to embrace, it was a joy because he would love it.
Moffat insulting Cumberbatch’s name. Hah! Not very diplomatic, sir.
That’s his name. Benedict Cumberbatch is actually his actual real name. I know, isn’t that great? How often is Sherlock Holmes played by someone with an even stupider name?
On Watson’s importance to the show:
Because if you look at the stories, you look you look at any good version of Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson is every bit as important a character as Sherlock Holmes, and some would argue more so because he’s our conduit to Sherlock Holmes. He’s the person to whom the story in a way happens. We are more emotionally resonant with Dr. Watson that we are with Sherlock Holmes because Sherlock Holmes is, you know, a hard man to empathize with.
On Sherlock’s future, now that Martin Freeman and Benedict Cumberbath are bigger stars, busy with other projects:
Yes, but we have their families trapped in a cellar. (Laugh) They are both, I can honestly say, very, very keen to carry on with “Sherlock” as it stands. Thing is, we do a limited amount of “Sherlock.” That’s the way we do it. Every year or so we get together and do three movies. So you are free to do other things. And I think it’ll do them both good to descend from their mighty star status in L.A. and New Zealand and get back in a small caravan in Wales and make some more “Sherlock.”
Listen to /download the interview here: http://www.npr.org/2012/05/03/151938002/the-man-who-revitalized-doctor-who-and-sherlock
Aghhhhhh, if only this would really happen! Alas, the film adaptation of Michael Chabon’s novel has been stuck in development hell for years. Joe or Sammy? Or is he too old for the two main characters, since they started as teenagers in the story? The shallow part of me wants him as Tracy Bacon the handsome actor (and Sammy’s love interest), hehe.
Lots of other interesting tidbits from this io9 article, basically a write-up of the Q&A session with Cumberbatch, Steven Moffatt and some other producers. No Martin Freeman, sadly. Executive producer Rebecca Eaton? Wait, is this the same Rebecca Eaton the executive producer of Downton Abbey who was complaining about Maggie Smith being “difficult” on set? Turns out she’s not a BBC producer, she works for PBS Masterpiece in the US, so was she even on the set of of Downton Abbey to see how “difficult” Maggie Smith is being?? Serves them right if Smith does decide to leave the show.
Back to Sherlock and Cumberbatch, BC is very gracious about the CBS show Elemntary (there’s enough space for multiple Sherlocks), and wishing the best of luck to Jonny Lee Miller. Awwww, that’s so sweet of him. But see, I don’t think the problem is with having multiple Sherlocks, it’s the fact that CBS DID initially approach Moffat and co. to adapt the series, and then went on to create their own show so close to Sherlock’s concept and basic premise. (Hey, we changed the city and Watson’s gender, what more do you want?) It’s soooooo not believable that this is an idea they came up on their own, uninfluenced by Sherlock’s success.
Moffat has no plans for Dr Who-Sherlock crossover. Really, why would anyone think that’s even a possibility? The rules and logic of the two shows are so different. Cumberbatch thinks the extent of Holmes’ drug use has been overblown (“It’s about someone who operates at the highest level of his function, and you can’t do that if you’re inebriated.”) His strangest fan experience? Someone sent him a whip in the mail. Hah! Have you been naughty, Sherlock?
Link: http://io9.com/5907824/benedict-cumberbatch-and-steven-moffat-share-secrets-of-sherlock-season-2
Benedict Cumberbatch nominated for leading actor, while Watson and Moriarty will duke it out in the supporting actor category. Hmm, seems unfair to Martin Freeman, Moriarty is not in the show that much. But Andrew Scott was a very memorable Moriarty, so I can’t complain too much. Only one nomination for Downton Abbey, Maggie Smith for supporting actress. It’s tricky with Downton Abbey, I don’t think anyone would qualify as leading actor or leading actress, based on screentime or importance of storyline. I’m tempted to say Mary-Matthew, but only because that’s the storyline I’m most invested in. No best drama series nomination for Sherlock or Downton Abbey, but Sherlock is nominated for YouTube audience award. Spooks is nominated for best drama, but the final season is pretty boring and all over the place (really, Russia as the enemy again? The Cold War is over, guys!), I suspect it’s nominated partly because it’s the final season,
Full list of nominations: http://www.bafta.org/television/awards/nominees-winner-2012,3256,BA.html
Had a really crappy day today. Checked my email one last time before leaving the office, found an email from my dad with this picture:
ROFL!!!!! The third otter-BC is my favorite, but really, they’re all awesome. I was chuckling all the way through rush-hour traffic. Thanks, dad! I have to ask my father later since when he’s been visiting LOLCAT sites, hehe.
Benedict Cumberbatch doing impressions of Alan Rickman, David Tennant and Jonathan Ross (I’m guessing that’s the host?) His Alan Rickman is PERFECT!!
P&P, Sherlock Edition – Holmes and Watson as Mr Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet. Special appearance by Inspector Lestrade as Mr Collins. And Moriarty as Judi Dench.
“Did you expect me to rejoice in the inferiority of your circumstances?”
“From the first moment I met you, your arrogance made me realize that you were the last man in the world I could ever marry.”
Are you sure about that, John .. umm, I mean, Lizzie?
From BBC (this is not a fanvid), Sherlock dubbed into Italian, Russian, Spanish and French. It’s the scene where Sherlock and Watson met for the first time and Sherlock was making all sorts of deductions about Watson. For my money, Russian fits the mood and style of the show the best. Plus the Italian guy dubbing Sherlock’s voice sounds really annoying.
More Cumberbatch goodness, from upcoming Star Trek 2. Cumberbatch meets Quinto? Won’t the universe just EXPLODE from all the geeky hotness????!!!!
Cumberbatch backstage for Frankenstein at the National Theatre. I guess he’s playing the part of “the creature” on this night.
BC and Louise Brealey (poor Molly) topped a Radio Times poll on which TV Personality they most like to take on a date on Valentine’s day. Martin Freeman is in third place, beaten by David Tennant the previous Dr Who (hmm, sorry John, I’d have to say I agree with this!)
Brought to you by The Benedict Cumberbatch Appreciation Society, with gratitude that he isn’t a Hollywood actor, in which case his agent would have told him to change his name (Ben Batch, anyone?). Seriously, I don’t think I’ve come across any actor’s name as delightful as this before 🙂
Links: http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2012-02-25/je-m’appelle-sherlock-holmes
http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2012-02-21/benedict-cumberbatch-as-you’ve-never-seen-him-before
Jonny Lee Miller (“Hackers”, BBC’s “Emma” and yes, Angelina Jolie’s ex-husband) is slated to be Sherlock Holmes in CBS’ new show “Elementary” in which “a detective solve cases inspired by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle stories, set in contemporary New York”. Hmm, this sounds very, very familiar ….. I wonder why? Apparently the BBC is already making noises about suing. Well, good for them! The casting of Miller, who did a play together with Benedict Cumberbatch (my one and only Holmes forever!!!) at the National Theatre prompted this retort from a “Sherlock” producer:
Sherlock producer Sue Vertue hinted that CBS are now sniffing around her team for casting clues. She told The Independent: “Johnny is a very fine actor, who I saw recently in the theatre when he and Benedict played alternating roles in Frankenstein. Let’s hope their pilot script has stayed further away from our Sherlock than their casting choice.”
Oh snap! This is so hilarious. I’m alternating between disgust and awe at CBS’ audacity. Due to the possible legal issues, I bet Miller’s character won’t even be called Sherlock Holmes, he’ll be Merlock Polmes or something with his sidekick Dr Batson. And how many Sherlock Holmes’ stories are there anyway? I don’t think they can sustain 22 episodes per season.
That said, the way they are staring at each other here …. move over Watson, there’s a new guy in town!
verityjes 