Benedict Cumberbatch reveals he disguises himself in public to protect his family, says 'I went as Chewbacca last year'

Benedict Cumberbatch talks about his family

Fame may have brought Benedict Cumberbatch international recognition and adoring fans, but for the actor, privacy for his family is non-negotiable.

The Sherlock star, who is married to actress-director Sophie Hunter and father to three boys, has admitted that he sometimes disguises himself when out in public so his children can enjoy a sense of normality.

Speaking on the Dish podcast, the 49-year-old actor revealed that he doesn’t mind stepping into character off-screen if it helps keep attention away from his loved ones. In fact, he confessed he relishes occasions like Halloween, when wearing a mask feels natural. “My favourite is Halloween. I went as [Star Wars character] Chewbacca last year, and it was just great. I was dancing along to the music that a Michael Jackson impersonator was playing, but I couldn’t really see where I was," he laughed.

The moment turned even funnier when his giant Chewbacca costume briefly stole the show. “The Michael Jackson impersonator was getting really angry ’cause I was sort of coming towards his cardboard, and people were turning from focusing on him to dancing Chewbacca there. And, and he was apparently going: ‘Hee hee! Hee hee!’ Somewhere someone might have that on the t’interweb."

While he can laugh about those moments, Cumberbatch admitted disguises serve a deeper purpose when he’s with his family. “With my family, I try to [disguise myself] because I do not want the attention drawn to them. I want them to have the right to their privacy and their time. But apart from that, I just have to own it. It takes an effort, though. It’s very weird walking into a room and everyone – well, a lot of people might recognise you, you don’t know anyone."

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His The Roses co-star Olivia Colman, who joined him on the podcast, revealed she too struggles with intrusive attention. For her, it can come at the most awkward of times. “[They do it when I’m] having a wee. ‘Can we have a selfie?’ Oh yeah, I’ve had knocks on the door, in the cubicle door, in the loo. And when you’re washing your hands."

Colman admitted the pressure once kept her from going out altogether, but relocating outside London has given her some peace. “Well, actually moving out of London, and I never fell out of love with London, I love it. But, um, it has helped me enormously. To be able to go to big spaces where people don’t look at you. And so now I feel like I can come back years later to London. I’m, I’m a bit braver. I’ve managed to knock some of the fear out of myself."