Benedict Cumberbatch may have been voted Britain’s sexiest man by Sun readers two years in a row, but the actor claims that he finds the attention “hysterical” and thinks he isn’t as good-looking as his costar James McAvoy.
“I’m still processing this strange misperception,” Cumberbatch, 36, said in May, according to the Sun.
“I suppose I’ll have to find a way to deal with the strain. I enjoy being considered handsome, even though I think it’s hysterical.”
“Work-wise, it builds a momentum, which means I’ve got the most fantastic opportunities — or at least, doors open to prove myself at the next level, and that attention has been a huge help,” he added.
“As long as it helps me find good roles, my response is, ‘Bring it on!’”
Cumberbatch added that he thinks some of his costars are better fits for the title, naming his friend and “Neverwhere” radio play costar James McAvoy, 34.
“I read a piece in The New York Times where James McAvoy was quoted as saying, ‘Oh, Benedict doesn’t need to fear the media or his fans or his new profile. He just needs to fear actors who will be looking at him with envy and want to cut his legs off,’” Cumberbatch said.
“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. And it’s nice because I’m not as good-looking as James.”
Now magazine reports that Cumberbatch compared his looks to McAvoy’s in another interview, saying, “I'm aware of the power of looks. I have wanted to play roles that have gone to much better-looking people than me and you think: ‘Oh well, that's the pin-up guy's part...’ for an actor like my friend James McAvoy, who's gorgeous on screen.”
“‘I'm not that. But at least I don't have to worry about taking precious care of my face because it's my commodity,” Cumberbatch added.
“That's a great freedom. I'm not afraid of being heinous for the sake of a part.”
The insecure actor seems to be single but has said he wants to settle down before he’s 40.
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