Benedict Cumberbatch: "I think definitely there is a level of humanisation"

Digital Spy's interview with Sherlock star, Benedict Cumberbatch

With New Year's Day fast approaching, and with that a second series of Sherlock, here are some higlights of the Digital Spy interview with the man himself, Benedict Cumberbatch [For the full interview, click the link above]:

Does it feel good coming back to a show that's an established success?"Yeah, very. Although because we had such a nice reception first time round, expectations are high. We want to keep it evolving as much as we can, within the parameters we set ourselves - which are obviously to do with being loyal to the original [Conan Doyle stories] and what we set out to do with this series.

"It has evolved, which is great, but people who want some more [like the first series] will not be disappointed."

What's the relationship like between Sherlock and Moriarty this year?"It's fantastic. Andrew [Scott] and I are great friends and I've always admired his talent - I just think he's a phenomenal actor. There is a parity [to those scenes] which makes it less Sherlock-heavy, which is enjoyable to play - it's nice to have an equal in the room.

"That's part of what the third episode is about. It's the weight of bitterness that Sherlock has built up through his behaviour with his 'un-equals' - the police force and the rest of them. There's a lot of people who have him in their sights."

Do you think Sherlock is gradually becoming more human?"You do have moments where he's being a complete sociopath and low-spectrum autistic, in the sense of not understanding or having any idea of what empathy is. There are insensitivities in his methods which are still very much fresh in the memory from the first series.

"But, without giving too much away, I think definitely there is a level of humanisation. But we still remain true to this calculating logic machine, this incredible man who can solve and find solutions in the everyday by not being involved in the everyday.

"I don't think his core fabric is ever really changed by what he's experienced. But in comparison to Moriarty, he has more of a heart definitely!"

Are you keen to star in a third series of Sherlock?"I really enjoy doing it, and that's all I'm going to say on that!"