# Is Benedict Cumberbatch the best (gay or not) Sherlock Holmes ever? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 31, 2011, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-benedict-cumberbatch-the-best-gay-or-not-sherlock-holmes-ever/607926 "2011-12-31T08:13:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2012, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-benedict-cumberbatch-the-best-gay-or-not-sherlock-holmes-ever/607926/21 "2012-01-02T10:59:43Z")
Brett is more true to the vision of Holmes that Doyle would have had. Cumberbatch has the benefit of knowing modern day psychology - aspergers, sociopathy, etc. - so he can create a character that is more true to life. My only problem is that Cumberbatch’s interpretation is so close to how Hugh Laurie plays House that I would just rather it be Laurie. I only really loved the first episode, A Study in Pink, because it was whimsical and funny so it didn’t conflict. The second and third episodes tried to be serious, and suffered for it. We’ll have to see how the new series does. ---
**Author:** ![PrettyVacant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/49beb7/32.png) [@PrettyVacant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PrettyVacant)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2012, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-benedict-cumberbatch-the-best-gay-or-not-sherlock-holmes-ever/607926/22 "2012-01-02T12:23:24Z")
> [@hazel-rah](#): > > You could try for a thousand years and never come close to approaching the fidelity and excellence of Jeremy Brett. He nailed it, and the new BBC series wisely does not attempt to repeat his perfect game. They do something new and interesting instead, and as a result, have made something quite wonderful. Counterpoint: the disaster that is Guy Ritchie’s vision of Sherlock Holmes. RDJ is awesome, but those movies stink. Yep. The current Sherlock on BBC is intentionally very different from predecessors, and it’s a fun take on the whole Holmes thing. ---
**Author:** ![Lust4Life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecc23a/32.png) [@Lust4Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lust4Life)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2012, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-benedict-cumberbatch-the-best-gay-or-not-sherlock-holmes-ever/607926/23 "2012-01-02T13:10:01Z")
I went into watching the present day S.H.s expecting to hate it. But it is truly excellent. As to S.H. being gay, I think that he’s more likely an asexual sociopath. He may not identify with the rest of the population, but he understands how they tick. ---
**Author:** ![leftfield6](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leftfield6/32/18780_2.png) [@leftfield6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leftfield6)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2012, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-benedict-cumberbatch-the-best-gay-or-not-sherlock-holmes-ever/607926/24 "2012-01-02T13:18:15Z")
I like the new BBC version, but Jeremy Brett IS the Sherlock Holmes that Conan Doyle wrote about. His mannerisms, his speaking style, just the right amount of intellectual superiority, Brett nailed all of those. I have the entire Brett series on DVD, truly he was Sherlock Holmes. The Downey movie’s? Meh, more modern day action movie than a true Sherlock Holmes movie. I saw the forst one on HBO, I’ll wait to see the new one there as well. Not worth spending real money for a movie night out to see it. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2012, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-benedict-cumberbatch-the-best-gay-or-not-sherlock-holmes-ever/607926/25 "2012-01-02T13:24:02Z")
Brilliant! The hat. The sheet. More details later–much later, probably. Cumberbatch is definitely the best _living_ Sherlock Holmes… ---
**Author:** ![sohvan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/96bed5/32.png) [@sohvan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sohvan)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2012, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-benedict-cumberbatch-the-best-gay-or-not-sherlock-holmes-ever/607926/26 "2012-01-02T14:37:54Z")
I loved it. I was expecting the password to be “I AM CAPS LOCKED” ---
**Author:** ![PrettyVacant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/49beb7/32.png) [@PrettyVacant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PrettyVacant)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2012, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-benedict-cumberbatch-the-best-gay-or-not-sherlock-holmes-ever/607926/27 "2012-01-02T14:55:33Z")
RE his sexuality; standard boarding school-educated English. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2012, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-benedict-cumberbatch-the-best-gay-or-not-sherlock-holmes-ever/607926/28 "2012-01-02T15:24:35Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > I only really loved the first episode, A Study in Pink, because it was whimsical and funny so it didn’t conflict. The second and third episodes tried to be serious, and suffered for it. We’ll have to see how the new series does. The first episode of the second series has some excellent jokes in it, so hopefully you will like it. I loved it, the highlight of the festive TV season by \* miles \*. ---
**Author:** ![MarcusF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/67e7ee/32.png) [@MarcusF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MarcusF)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2012, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-benedict-cumberbatch-the-best-gay-or-not-sherlock-holmes-ever/607926/29 "2012-01-02T16:46:43Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > The first episode of the second series has some excellent jokes in it, so hopefully you will like it. I loved it, the highlight of the festive TV season by \* miles > \*. Really enjoyed it but had a vague feeling it was too long. The characters are fun but they seemed to run out of plot :dubious: It did though go right to the heart of the OP. In fact I was quite surprised to find it on pre-watershed on BBC 1 given the “profession” of Sherlock’s adversary. For those in the States, sorry about the teasers but it would be a shame to spoil it for you! ps Brett was easily the best Holmes in relation to Holmes as Conan Doyle wrote him. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2012, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-benedict-cumberbatch-the-best-gay-or-not-sherlock-holmes-ever/607926/30 "2012-01-02T20:57:24Z")
> [@MarcusF](#): > > In fact I was quite surprised to find it on pre-watershed on BBC 1 given the “profession” of Sherlock’s adversary. I downloaded it off iPlayer, and didn’t realise that it broadcast at ten past eight! That probably pushed the boundary of what they could get away with at that time of the day! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![irishgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@irishgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irishgirl)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2012, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-benedict-cumberbatch-the-best-gay-or-not-sherlock-holmes-ever/607926/31 "2012-01-04T15:38:33Z")
Although not exactly feminist, I thoroughly enjoyed _Scandal in Belgravia_. Very, very good. ---
**Author:** ![planetcory](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/planetcory/32/1032_2.png) [@planetcory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/planetcory)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2012, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-benedict-cumberbatch-the-best-gay-or-not-sherlock-holmes-ever/607926/32 "2012-01-04T16:20:05Z")
Beyond asexual, it’s strongly suggested in Series 2 (but never confirmed) that he’s never been with _anyone_. He doesn’t confirm or deny the implication. ---
**Author:** ![MarcusF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/67e7ee/32.png) [@MarcusF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MarcusF)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2012, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-benedict-cumberbatch-the-best-gay-or-not-sherlock-holmes-ever/607926/33 "2012-01-04T16:34:04Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > I downloaded it off iPlayer, and didn’t realise that it broadcast at ten past eight! That probably pushed the boundary of what they could get away with at that time of the day! 😃 The world is as it should be - the Daily Mail have got their kniickers in a twist over it: _(Spoilered so as not to give away surprise_) Complaining about [Irene Adler in the nude](http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2081486/Lara-Pulver-naked-Sherlock-Holmes-BBC-raunchy-pre-watershed-scenes.html)and publishing a picture in the paper of said nudity :smack: ---
**Author:** ![kelly5078](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/6f9a4e/32.png) [@kelly5078](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kelly5078)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2012, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-benedict-cumberbatch-the-best-gay-or-not-sherlock-holmes-ever/607926/34 "2012-01-04T22:44:36Z")
I still like Basil Rathbone best. Cumberbatch and Downey are about equal as far as entertaining characters go, but Cumberbatch’s is a more accurate portrayal. I never did like Brett. ---
**Author:** ![Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aji_de_gallina/32/260_2.png) [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aji_de_Gallina)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2012, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-benedict-cumberbatch-the-best-gay-or-not-sherlock-holmes-ever/607926/35 "2012-01-05T05:07:54Z")
Yes, he is but only because he is a modern Holmes, i can’t picture him doing period Holmes. ---
**Author:** ![BrassyPhrase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea666f/32.png) [@BrassyPhrase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrassyPhrase)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2012, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-benedict-cumberbatch-the-best-gay-or-not-sherlock-holmes-ever/607926/36 "2012-01-05T06:14:24Z")
I haven’t seen this particular version but I’ve loved Sherlock Holmes stories since I could read. I’ll definitely look for it. My big interest in this thread is b/c of one of my favorite movies _Secrets and Lies_. I didn’t know Cumberbatch was a real last name! I thought it was something made up, like out of Pratchett or C.S. Lewis or Rowling. Live and learn! ---
**Author:** ![Untoward\_Parable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/51bf81/32.png) [@Untoward\_Parable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Untoward_Parable)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2012, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-benedict-cumberbatch-the-best-gay-or-not-sherlock-holmes-ever/607926/37 "2012-01-05T08:10:36Z")
I would think there’d be some extra interest in the series since Sherlock is playing Smaug (the dragon) and Watson is playing Bilbo in the Hobbit movie coming out in a year. Also says something about their acting chops if they were deemed desirable for the biggest film project in awhile. I liked the series, Moriarty was dumb though. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2012, 9:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-benedict-cumberbatch-the-best-gay-or-not-sherlock-holmes-ever/607926/38 "2012-01-05T09:44:16Z")
Big film projects? Benedict Cumberbatch will [play a lead role](http://www.thewrap.com/deal-central/column-post/star-trek-sequel-nabs-war-horse-actor-benedict-cumberbatch-34090) in the upcoming _Star Trek 2_. Most other source say he’ll be the main villain–who is[not Khan](http://www.reelz.com/movie-news/12671/star-trek-2-villain-will-be-original-says-producer/). Details to follow… (Noel Clarke–Mickey from _Doctor Who_–also has a role. And Peter Weller–Buckaroo himself!) Still hoping more \*Sherlock \*will eventually be made. But playing the asexual detective made Serious Actor Benedict Cumberbatch into a star… ---
**Author:** ![Lissla\_Lissar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lissla\_Lissar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissla_Lissar)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2012, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-benedict-cumberbatch-the-best-gay-or-not-sherlock-holmes-ever/607926/39 "2012-01-05T17:27:25Z")
That episode was lots of fun. I’m still trying to figure out [SPOILER]Why Britain was trying to solve the Coventry problem by killing planeloads of their own citizens. Still, "Are you wearing pants? “How many times did he fall out of the window?” “I lost count.” “Mrs, Hudson leave Baker Street? England would fall.” 😃 [/SPOILER] ---
**Author:** ![Galanthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Galanthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Galanthus)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2012, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-benedict-cumberbatch-the-best-gay-or-not-sherlock-holmes-ever/607926/40 "2012-01-05T17:39:41Z")
You know I enjoyed watching the show but it left a bad aftertaste … In the canon story Irene Adler defeats Sherlock fairly comprehensively. I though she was rather reduced to a one dimensional vamp. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-benedict-cumberbatch-the-best-gay-or-not-sherlock-holmes-ever/607926.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-benedict-cumberbatch-the-best-gay-or-not-sherlock-holmes-ever/607926.md?page=3)