Benedict Cumberbatch really wants a dumb role

Los Angeles - Benedict Cumberbatch wants to play a “dumb” character.

The Sherlock actor, who has just completed The Imitation Game, a biopic of British cryptographer, Alan Turing, insists he's ready for a less intellectual role.

The 37-year-old star told T magazine: "I always seem to be cast as slightly wan, ethereal, troubled intellectuals or physically ambivalent bad lovers...

"I am so ready to play a really dumb character."

Benedict, who has also won awards for his role as Victor Frankenstein and his monster in the West End production, became a huge star after taking on the part of the titular detective in BBC1's Sherlock but admits he's not the nicest character to play.

He said: "I always make it clear that people who become obsessed with him or the idea of him - he'd destroy you...

"He is an absolute bastard."

The actor is uncomfortable in the spotlight but has quickly realised the best way to stay undetected is not to draw attention to himself.

He explained: "There is a way of just shadowing through. The higher the walls, the more dark the windows, the bigger the sunglasses - the more people are going to look.

"The greatest disguise is learning how to be invisible in plain sight."