Benedict Cumberbatch Fears Overexposure, But Takes On Richard III Role For BBC2

There’s no denying it, Benedict Cumberbatch is one of the greatest imports from across the pond and as such has been in several successful films, especially in 2013.

The British thesp — who is also a voice, theater, and small screen actor — made appearances in such films as The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug as the feared dragon Smaug, through motion capture, the Oscar winner 12 Years A Slave, Oscar nominated August: Osage County, Star Trek Into Darkness, and the lesser known The Fifth Estate in which he plays whistleblower Julian Assange of Wikileaks fame.

Cumberbatch also stars in the widely popular TV series, Sherlock alongside his Desolation Of Smaug co-star Martin Freeman, so there is no wonder Benedict feels anxious about being exposed too much, as he told The Advertiser:

“I’d hate to think anyone is sick of the sight of me, although I wouldn’t blame them. It’s just crazy. I’ve overexposed myself! Actually that sounds a bit dirty.”

But nobody can claim that Benedict Cumberbatch is anything but a very eclectic actor, if one considers the pure variety in his role choices. Going from a space saga, to a slave plantation, to dying his hair blonde in order to play Assange credibly, and finally ending the year with his magnificent rendition of the much awaited Smaug in The Hobbit, one of the best dragons in movie history.

The 37-year-old actor adds:

“I’m proud of every single project. I can genuinely say that it is varied enough, as a slate, to not fear too much overexposure. I just hope the public agree because they are seeing a lot of me.”

“It would be really churlish to complain about anything to be honest. I’m very fortunate to be in the position I’m in.”

The announcement that he was chosen to play the intricate Shakespeare character, King Richard III for BBC2 came via the network’s Twitter and it is said to be part of three film adaptation for Shakespeare’s History plays. Benedict says he is happy to work with former artistic director of the Royal Court Theatre — attended by Benedict — Dominic Cooke:

“I can’t wait to work with Dominic Cooke again to bring this complex, funny and dangerous character to life.”

This latest role follows another casting for Benedict Cumberbatch in a Shakespeare role, this time as Hamlet, at the Barbican Theatre for a 12 week run starting in August of 2015.

[Image of Benedict Cumberbatch in The Other Boleyn Girl]