Benedict Cumberbatch Remains Grounded Despite the Internet’s Huge Crush on Him

Benedict Cumberbatch occupies a space of the Internet’s heart that is also occupied for Doctor Who actors past and present, Oscar Isaac, and Rami Malek — that is, the delightful and beloved Internet boyfriend. However, what makes Cumberbatch an especially devoted Internet boyfriend is the fact that he’s not only fully aware of his status as one of the web’s most beloved, but he takes everyone’s crush on him very seriously.

In an interview with Vanity Fair, the actor, who shot to fame when Sherlock debuted in 2010 blushed when his interviewer told the actor that a Twitter user shared this tidbit: “Sometimes when I’m sad I picture a shirtless Benedict Cumberbatch slowly eating an apple fritter. Try it!”

While he’s happy that his presence can bring others happiness, he tries to stay grounded in spite of all the online affection.

“I’m glad I’m bringing a ray of sunshine to an otherwise dull day, being imagined eating fritters shirtless,” he said. “But, I don’t know, it makes me giggle. I don’t look at myself in the mirror and go, ‘Yeah, absolutely! I see what they’re saying!’ I see all my faults and everything that I’ve always seen as my faults.”

Cumberbatch’s new film Doctor Strange will no doubt escalate his Internet boyfriend status further, so it’s reassuring to see that he’s taking it all in stride, which is what all truly chivalrous Internet crushes would do.