Benedict Cumberbatch spoke about a traumatic experience in South Africa.
Benedict Cumberbatch shines in films and television in roles such as Doctor Strange and Sherlock Holmes. But in 2004, a shocking scenario that resembled a thriller took place in his private life. In an interview with “Variety” he spoke about the trauma that happened to him while filming in South Africa. There he was robbed and kidnapped – an experience that left a lasting impression on him.
A blown tire and six kidnappers
The events took place during the filming of the BBC series “To the Ends of the Earth” in Santa Lucia, South Africa. After a diving trip, Cumberbatch and his colleagues had a tire burst on the way back to the hotel. While they waited on the side of the road for help, they were ambushed by six armed men.
The attackers searched for drugs, money and weapons and forced the group into a vehicle. Cumberbatch describes the ordeal as an “hour-long journey” during which he and his friends were tied up. Finally, the kidnappers left her on the side of the road – in a traumatizing “execution position”. The perpetrators escaped, but fortunately the victims escaped the horror.
Benedict Cumberbatch: An experience that changed his life
The traumatic experience left its mark on Benedict Cumberbatch. Speaking to Variety, he explained: “It changed my perception of time, but not necessarily in a good way. It made me impatient to live an extraordinary life.” The actor developed a penchant for extreme sports like skydiving to feel the adrenaline and process the experience.
“I thought to myself, ‘Oh yeah, I could die at any moment,'” he continued. This awareness initially drove him to take risks and increased his search for intense experiences.
Family is now the focus
Benedict Cumberbatch appears vulnerable and open in the interview like rarely before. His experiences not only shaped him as a person, but also permanently changed his view of life. With his wife Sophie Hunter and the birth of his three sons, Cumberbatch’s perspective changed. “The priorities have shifted enormously,” said the actor. “I think a lot more about mortality – not just my own mortality, but also that of my family.” This responsibility also brings a burden, he admits.