Cumberbatch – it sounds like a fart in a bath, doesn’t it? What a fluffy old name. I can never say it on a Monday morning. When I became an actor, Mum wasn’t keen on me keeping it.
It’s great for the people who supported me early on to see the success I’m enjoying.
You come into this world as you leave it, on your own. It’s made me want to live a life slightly less ordinary.
Mystique is rare now, isn’t it? There aren’t that many enigmas in this modern world.
Being on set is quite difficult, because it’s so big and you’ve got to try and relax, which isn’t easy when you know you’re in a massive film. I was terrified for quite a long time.
Enjoy the journey of life and not just the endgame. I’m also a great believer in treating others as you would like to be treated.
I like to think that we’re revolving on this planet and revolving through the galaxy. I love having context that’s so much bigger than I can fathom. It’s fantastic to realise how insignificant you are.
I’m not an overnight success. I’ve been doing it for 12 years. It’s been lovely and varied so far.
Our daily lives are so mundane, we get taken over by what is immediately in front of us and we don’t see beyond that.
We’re living through a time where we are fighting wars fostered by politics, admittedly not on the same scale as the First World War, but with equally tragic realities for our soldiers and their families.
There’s so much in the 21st century that is stymied by bureaucracy and mediocrity and committee.
We all want to escape our circumstances, don’t we? Especially if you are an actor.
I’m interested in art for all. I don’t want it to be only the sons and daughters of Tory MPs who get to see my plays.
I’m still very sensitive and wary of people recognising me The only thing that really annoys me is people trying to surreptitiously take a photo on their phone without asking. I feel it’s cowardly and a bit pathetic. Just ask me if you really want me to have a photograph with you.
I’m sort of focused on my long-term goal of carving out a career that’s for life, rather than being a flash in the pan.
I just increasingly enjoy the quiet moments when I can be on my own with my friends and family, or with a book, having a live experience. That’s really what I crave, and I always have done.
Upper class to me means you are either born into wealth or you’re Royalty.
It’s difficult because nothing’s preordained by plan and you can’t control it. That’s one of those joys and thrills and nerve-racking realities of being an actor. A lot has to do with luck, no matter what your talent or contribution can be.
It still makes me giggle that I’m paid to act.
You have to sometimes just run with the problem rather than trying to solve it with hi-tech wizardry and lots of planning.