Female 'Sherlock' Possible? Benedict Cumberbatch Says, 'Why Not?'
"Sherlock" star Benedict Cumberbatch is open to a woman playing the titular role that opened doors for him in Hollywood. The British actor doesn't see anything wrong if a female actress will eventually take over as the iconic detective.
Cumberbatch made his sentiments known while speaking with Variety during the promo for his new drama "The Child in Time." The Marvel actor commented on a controversy surrounding the long-running British series "Doctor Who," which recently picked Jodie Whitaker as its first female doctor after 12 male actors played the role.
"Why can't it be a woman, why can't it be any gender? It doesn't matter to me," he said. "I think she's an extraordinary actress and we're lucky, culturally, to have got her to agree to do it, let alone any debate ensuing about whether it's right or wrong."
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So, when asked if Cumberbatch could see a woman taking over his role as Sherlock, he asked, "Why not?" He even thought of a name for the show with a female Sherlock Holmes.
"'Sherlockina' is coming to you soon," he said in amusement.
Cumberbatch assumed the role of Sherlock Homes for television in 2010 for BBC's "Sherlock" adaptation of the detective stories Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote from 1887 to 1927. He was the only choice for the producers and they did not audition anyone else.
"Sherlock" spanned four seasons and two Christmas specials but the show has not yet been officially canceled after seven years. There's still a looming possibility of a fifth season if Cumberbatch and his co-star Martin Freeman (Dr. John Watson), as well as "Sherlock" creators Mark Gatiss and Stephen Moffatt, could get their schedules in order.
Since the success of "Sherlock," the stars and its creators have been landing projects left and right. Cumberbatch, however, remains hopeful that he will return to the BBC set of the drama series.
Meanwhile, the previous seasons of "Sherlock" are streaming on Netflix for viewers who would like to catch up on the show.
