Benedict Cumberbatch has discussed the enduring impact of a kidnapping experience on his life.
Hailing from London, the actor has gained acclaim for his impressive performances in various roles, such as Sherlock Holmes in the acclaimed TV series Sherlock and Doctor Strange in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
However, many may not be aware that the 48-year-old once faced a life-threatening kidnapping ordeal.
In an interview with Variety regarding his forthcoming film, The Thing With Feathers, Cumberbatch reflected on his past experiences and how they have influenced his life.
The Thing With Feathers is a somber drama depicting a father coping with the loss of his wife while raising his family alone.
This theme resonates with Cumberbatch’s own crisis, reminiscent of the time he was accosted by a group of men in South Africa back in 2004.
At the time, he was in his late twenties and working on the BBC miniseries To The Ends of The Earth. During a break, he and some friends went on a diving trip.
They were abducted and robbed by six assailants after stopping by the roadside in Durban.
Cumberbatch recounted how they were forced into a vehicle for hours until they were eventually taken out, restrained, and left to sit on the ground, powerless and bound.
He told The Hollywood Reporter in 2013: “It was cold, and it was dark. I felt rotten. We were wary because that’s a notoriously dangerous place to drive. Then, poof, the front-right tyre blows.
“So we got the spare, but that meant getting all of our luggage out. We were like sitting ducks, adverts for—not prosperity necessarily