Being Benedict Cumberbatch

His fans regularly discuss whether he looks more like an otter or a hammerhead shark, but that hasn t stopped actor-of-the-moment Benedict Cumberbatch becoming an international sex symbol who s on the cusp of Hollywood superstardom.

He s made geektelligence hot in the insanely popular BBC series Sherlock, attracted critical acclaim in 12 Years a Slave and The Fifth Estate, and explored his dark side in blockbusters like Star Trek: Into Darkness and the Hobbit trilogy. Along the way he s won the hearts, minds and Twitter accounts of an alarmingly enthusiastic global fan base, many of whom refer to themselves as Cumberbitches .

But who is Benedict Cumberbatch, and why do teenagers, their parents and everyone in between love him so much? Illustrated throughout with full-color photographs, Being Benedict Cumberbatch is an essential guide to the man at the center of the Cumberverse."