Benedict Cumberbatch And Sophie Hunter Welcome A Son

Benedict Cumberbatch welcomed his first child, a son, with his wife, Sophie Hunter, according to People.

“Benedict Cumberbatch and Sophie Hunter are delighted to announce the arrival of their beautiful son,” Benedict Cumberbatch’s rep said in a statement. “We would kindly ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy during these next few precious weeks.”

Cumberbatch, 38, and Sophie Hunter, 37, announced they were expecting their first child in January, just two months after formally announcing their engagement to the New York Daily News in the form of a $365 advertisement.

The couple first met when starring opposite of each other in Burlesque Fairytells in 2009, but only began dating last year. They were first spotted publicly together at the 2014 French Open, to the disappointment of his fans.

The couple tied the knot on Valentine’s Day. The ceremony took place in a medieval church in Mottistone, at the Isle of Wight in England. Following the marriage, Hunter, a theater director and actress, focused on preparing for the birth of their child.

Cumberbatch was, surprisingly, anything but anxious about his upcoming parenthood.

In February, Cumberbatch told People he was “not nervous at all” while attending the Oscars with his pregnant wife. Cumberbatch attended the award ceremony as a Best Actor nominee for his role as Alan Turing in the critically acclaimed film The Imitation Game. Fellow Brit Eddie Redmayne won the award for his role as Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything.

This news caps off a wonderful week for the Sherlock actor, who was named a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for services to the performing arts and charity.

For years, Cumberbatch has discussed his desire for children.

Cumberbatch told Event Magazine in 2013, “I was happy as an only child, but I’ve always wanted to be part of a bigger family. I would love to have children. I can’t wait to do an interview like this and just talk about my child.”

In 2010, he told the Telegraph, “I am very broody. I have been broody for the last five years because I have two godchildren. I know you pick up an amazing amount of stamina the minute you become a dad, but I would like to be a young dad. I would love to have the ability to juggle a career and have a young child.”

[Image Source: Rachel Murray/Getty Images]