Those who’ve been locked into the first two seasons of Sherlock are likely well-established members of the cult of Benedict Cumberbatch at this point. The actor has an unusual combination of humor, intelligence, and physicality that makes him ideal for Sherlock Holmes, and that appeal is starting to expand into more feature roles. Cumberbatch has a couple big pictures coming up in the next two years, as he’s playing a crucial role in The Hobbit, and he’s the villain the new Star Trek film.

Now, perhaps most exciting, Cumberbatch has been cast in Twelve Years a Slave, which is the third teaming of director Steve McQueen (Hunger, Shame) and actor Michael Fassbender.

The film stars Chiwetel Ejiofor as Solomon Northrup, who was kidnapped as a free man and sold into slavery for a dozen years. Variety says Cumberbatch will be “a plantation owner who buys Ejiofor’s character and is won over by his engineering skills.”

John Ridley (Red Tails) scripted based on Northrup’s memoir recounting his horrific experience. Brad Pitt plays a supporting role.

The following text lays out the beginning of Northrup’s tale, and is worth reading just to get a sense of how crazy this story is.