Last month, "Sherlock" star Benedict Cumberbatch was reportedly quoted as saying some less than complimentary things about CBS' Sherlock Holmes reimagining, "Elementary," starring his friend and "Frankenstein" co-star Jonny Lee Miller.
The internet then exploded with speculation and conspiracy theories, before Cumberbatch released a statement to The Hollywood Reporter to clarify that he was misquoted.
On the red carpet for BAFTA's annual pre-Emmy Tea Party, HuffPost TV caught up with the affable Brit to discuss the misunderstanding -- and to try to wrangle some intel about "Star Trek 2" from the Emmy nominee.
There's been a lot of controversy over this so-called "Sherlock" versus "Elementary" rivalry, and you seem to keep being misquoted all over the place ...
I know, I know ... The only shame about it is that Jonny and I are friends, and they try to get a fight where there ain't gonna be none. I'm such a fan of his work, always have been -- we worked together very closely in "Frankenstein" about a year and a half ago.
I was so sad to have missed it in London and in its movie theater showings over here.
There might be another cinema airing of the live recording that they did soon ... I think we'd all love, at some point, to do it in New York or [in LA], schedules permitting; it would be a great thing to bring to the States. We'll see. But that's what hurt me about it -- it's a very high class problem to have, to be over-scrutinized for every word you say, but when people start quoting you for things you didn't say, that's when it becomes a bit weird and you lose control. I just made sure that he was alright and of course he was, because he's a grown-up. I issued a statement saying "this is not what I said at all."
I know you won't be able to reveal anything about "Star Trek," but I have to ask ...
It was an amazing experience ... I was bound to say that, but it genuinely was. It was just extraordinary. He's a wonderful human being to be around, J.J. [Abrams] -- on every level, as a dad, as a friend, as a director, as a musician ... He's a polymath, he's a really talented human being. And he has time for everyone and it's all done with a really genuine interest in the story. So for all the bangs for your buck that you're gonna get with the film -- which there are going to be aplenty -- you have an investment, you care about what's happening to these characters, so it was really exciting.
Season 3 of "Sherlock" will reportedly begin filming in January. Cumberbatch can next be seen (or heard) in the first part of Peter Jackson's "Hobbit" trilogy, "An Unexpected Journey," alongside "Sherlock" co-star Martin Freeman on December 14.
