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Benedict Cumberbatch wants to play 'dumb characters'

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Benedict Cumberbatch has become an unlikely Hollywood superstar but the Sherlock actor has revealed he is ready for something a little more low-brow.He recently wrapped filming on a biopic of Alan Turing, the British cryptographer and war-time code breaker, and admitted to T, the New York Times style magazine that he is "so ready to play a really dumb character."

Benedict Cumberbatch

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Cumberbatch has performed in over thirty elevision shows and stage productions but it was the BBC’s worldwide smash hit Sherlock in 2010 which introduced him to the world.

The Shakespearian actor has gone on to star in some of Hollywood’s biggest hits over the last few years including Star Trek: Into Darkness as well as intense dramas August: Osage County and 12 Years A Slave, for which Benedict attended this year’s Academy Awards ceremony.

TEN THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH

The 37-year-old also talked about how he advises fans of Sherlock Holmes that they shouldn’t love him as he would never love them back.

"I always make it clear that people who become obsessed with him or the idea of him — he’d destroy you," Benedict says.

Benedict Cumberbatch and U2

Benedict photobombs U2 at the 2014 Academy Awards

The actor who has had to learn to deal with the paparazzi hit the headlines in 2013 when he held up a sign reading, "Go photograph Egypt and show the world something important.

"He later pulled the stunt again, holding up signs that talked about democracy, journalism, the war on terror and liberty.

The move was mocked by newspapers but it only endeared Benedict to his fans, who call themselves Cumberb***hes, even more.

The fans are also good at discovering his whereabouts and use the hashtag Cumberwatch to discuss his activities.

But Benedict has a way to avoid detection.

"If you pick a point far behind them they perceive you as not seeing them, and you’re the obstacle they have to get around… The greatest disguise is learning how to be invisible in plain sight," he added.