You may know by now that Benedict Cumberbatch appears on a collector edition cover of ELLE’s December issue, and in an eight page editorial story. It’s rather special – get it here, and we will post it to you anywhere in the world.

Picture: Marc Hom

We spent the day with Benedict, 38, rambling around Hampstead Heath, riding his motorbike (a little recklessly) through London, and drinking cocktails at the Chiltern Firehouse. And we talked to him about everything: his work, his childhood, his friendships, his family, love life, Sherlock (of course) and babies.

We’ve had better days at work. We just can’t think of them right now.

On his next film The Imitation Game, in which he plays WW2 code-breaker and founder of modern computer science Alan Turing, he says: “It [genius] is a very rich canvas to work with as an actor. Turing is so different to Sherlock. There’s a real subtlety about him; his flourishes aren’t flamboyant, he doesn’t think of himself that highly.”

On his love life, he is sweetly candid. “It’s a really double-edged sword,” he says, about dating post-Sherlock fame. “You know, you discover why people find you attractive – in a relationship or a tryst – and if it’s just to have a go on you or try you out, then I can smell that a mile off.”

It hasn’t made him cynical though. He is most definitely looking for the fairytale: “I hope I’m looking back and going: ‘Oh, that was the moment I got on with life and realised things beyond myself.’ Without using words like ‘marriage’ ‘children’ and ‘family’ – although I have just used those words – put it this way: I hope I’ve got other people to look back with me at that point. I hope I’m surrounded by family.” He's a feminist too, you know.

The issue is on sale October 30th. Until then, enjoy this exclusive film we made at our cover shoot. That laugh [at 1:14]...

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More like this? Check out what happenned when we played Word Games with Mr Cumberbatch

Read Benedict's cover interview here

Benedict’s best looks

The Imitation Game opens on November 14

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