He played the iconic detective for three seasons on the BBC show from 2010 to 2017
By Max Pilley 21st November 2025
Benedict Cumberbatch filming 'Sherlock' on February 7, 2015 in London CREDIT: Simon James/GC Images
Benedict Cumberbatch has refused to rule out returning to the role of Sherlock Holmes again in the future.
He played the iconic detective for three series of the BBC drama Sherlock from 2010 to 2017, alongside Martin Freeman as Dr. John Watson, and picked up BAFTA and Golden Globe nominations and a Primetime Emmy win in 2014.
AdvertisementThe show launched Cumberbatch’s Hollywood career, which has seen him take on roles in Doctor Strange, The Hobbit and Star Trek Into Darkness, as well as the likes of 12 Years A Slave, The Power Of The Dog and The Imitation Game, receiving Oscar nominations for the latter two.
In a new Reddit AMA on Thursday (November 20), Cumberbatch was asked directly whether he would consider returning to the role of Sherlock Holmes. “Never say never…” he teased.
He shared his love for the show in another response in the chat, where he was asked about the devout fanbase that the show has amassed over the years.
“I love the world that Steven [Moffat] and Mark [Gatiss]’s adaptation of these incredible novels has created around it, full stop,” he said. “The fan-driven obsession and attention to detail and lore and easter eggs and analysis of character, etc. Etc.”
RecommendedCumberbatch also addressed the ongoing controversy about the encroaching use of AI in the creative industries. Asked how he feels about AI, given that he played Alan Turing, an early pioneer of the ideas underpinning the technology, in The Imitation Game, he said the current situation had left him “pretty depressed, to be honest”.
He added: “I feel we are in danger of vanilla-fying and perfecting and asphalting over the thing that makes us human, which are our fallibility, our mess, and our inaccuracy, all of which creates the tension, conflict, and necessary friction for original creative thinking to occur.
“Our need for immediate results and our appetites are being overrun by the plentitude and of course the need for immediate gratification, which are all dangerous I feel for the human creative mindset.”
AdvertisementHe continued: “But look, I’m not a Luddite. I understand these tools can be used while maintaining the analog mess of the biochemistry wielding them and still have a great impact that isn’t to the detriment of authenticity. I also feel like Nick Cave, who if you haven’t read his letter he articulates it so perfectly, that our limitations are what make us human and stories are how we understand our humanity. The blank page, the challenge of slow thinking, failing, and thinking better, and the difficulties of the grind of our creative act are what make it so, so rewarding.”
“This answer was brought to you by ChatBTCC,” he concluded.
Elsewhere, Cumberbatch hit out at the film industry’s “grossly wasteful” use of resources and energy earlier this year, and he was part of Brian Eno’s ‘Together For Palestine’ charity show at Wembley Arena in September.
He has already starred in Wes Anderson’s The Phoenician Scheme and comedy drama The Roses this year and his new film The Thing With Feathers arrived in cinemas today (November 21).
