'You go to bed sweating that you haven't done a good day's work': Benedict Cumberbatch talks about latest role... as he poses for cover shoot 

By REBECCA DAVISON, DEPUTY HEAD OF SHOWBIZ

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He's causing ripples in the movie world with his portrayal of Alan Turing in new movie, The Imitation Game - and Benedict Cumberbatch, 38, talks about his new role in a new magazine interview.

As he poses for the cover of Time magazine, the newly engaged actor told the publication that he was fascinated by the extraordinary life of the wartime codebreaker.

'Everyone goes, Why didn’t I know about this story? This man’s achievements are extraordinary. 

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Cover star: Benedict Cumberbatch poses as Alan Turing on the front cover of Time magazine 

Cover star: Benedict Cumberbatch poses as Alan Turing on the front cover of Time magazine 

'Everything that’s been thrown at computers—all of it has only managed to work because of his idea of creating something universal in the first place.' 

But the star did admit that he wasn't a computer genius himself when growing up. 'I was a little bit, but not to any level of expertise,' he said. 'I wrote programs on BBC computers.

'We had computing lessons where you’d actually write coded commands to create programs to play little games or build up a Christmas tree on a BBC computer. 

Cracking codes: He stars alongside Keira Knightley in the wartime epic 

Cracking codes: He stars alongside Keira Knightley in the wartime epic 

'But computers were more interesting to me when you could put a little packet in them and protect the world from nuclear strike on an ­Atari console or a Commodore 64.

'[I also liked] the little Nintendo, the handheld Donkey Kong Jr. things. And then I was always into the Sega Game Gear. That was my real interest in computing—having fun with games.'

But there's no time for any of that now: 'You go to bed at night sweating that you haven’t done a good day’s work or that you haven’t read that book. I’d love to, though.'

Loving it: Benedict admits he loves to play the role of genius, saying: 'My great enjoyment with these characters is to show that no, they are human beings. They have loves and likes and dislikes'

Loving it: Benedict admits he loves to play the role of genius, saying: 'My great enjoyment with these characters is to show that no, they are human beings. They have loves and likes and dislikes'

The star admits he loves to play the role of genius, saying: 'My great enjoyment with these characters is to show that no, they are human beings. They have loves and likes and dislikes. 

'They have all the sort of polarities that we experience in the human condition. But with some sort of special filters added in.' 

'With Sherlock, it’s the ­pyrotechnic of making the connections very quick. That’s a joy to play. It’s really hard work and it’s frustrating as hell, but it’s very rewarding. 

'But to convey intelligence? I don’t know. Maybe I have my mother to thank for that. Just the eyes, I think they are the windows to the soul.' 

For the full interview, pick up Time magazine, on sale Friday, November 21.

Good times ahead: The actor is newly engaged to theatre director Sophie Hunter 

Good times ahead: The actor is newly engaged to theatre director Sophie Hunter 

 

 

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