Benedict Cumberbatch talks about near-death experience in Africa

Benedict Cumberbatch recounts the horrific experience he faced in 2004 when he was kidnapped and robbed while traveling in South Africa.

The revelation comes less than two years after another terrifying ordeal in May 2023, when a knife-wielding intruder broke into his London home.

Benedict Cumberbatch looks back on a chilling encounter 20 years ago, revealing how it changed his outlook on life.

The actor revealed that he was kidnapped and robbed by six men while filming the BBC miniseries “To the Ends of the Earth” in South Africa in 2004. The incident allegedly happened after a diving trip with friends when their car was left with a flat tire. stuck on the side of the road.

Cumberbatch and his entourage were reportedly ambushed, forced into a vehicle and driven around for hours. The 48-year-old claimed they were then tied up and made to sit execution-style before the attackers fled. In an interview with DiversityCumberbatch reflected on the ordeal, stating:

“It gave me a sense of time, but not necessarily a good one. It made me impatient to live a more extraordinary life.”

This impatience fueled his thirst for adrenaline, from skydiving to extreme sports. However, his perspective changed after he married Sophia Hunter and became a father to three sons.

“Now it's changed, and it refreshes you. I've looked over the edge; it's made me happy with what's underneath. And I've accepted that's where all our stories end,” he shared.

Cumberbatch's life has not been boring, but the May 2023 incident brought terror to his doorstep. Before opening up about his experiences in South Africa, the actor and his family endured a terrifying break-in at their £3.5 million London home.

An explosion reported that Jack Bissell, a former chef at a prestigious Mayfair hotel, forced his way through the iron gates of the home before going on a destructive rampage armed with a fish knife.

The report described Bissell kicking, punching and tearing up plants in the garden, throwing them against walls while shouting threatening threats such as: “I hope it burns.”

Bissell didn't stop there — he reportedly spat and grabbed the intercom before fleeing the scene. Authorities later arrested the chef thanks to the DNA left behind.

Fortunately, Cumberbatch and his family avoided direct contact with the intruder during the home invasion. Although the family remained safe behind the walls of their home, they could hear the chaos unfolding outside.

A source close to the family shared their grief: “Of course the whole family was scared and thought this guy was going to come in and hurt them.” Insiders revealed that the incident left the Cumberbatch's deeply troubled. In their words:

“Since then Benedict and Sophia have had many sleepless nights worrying that they might be be purposeful again. The fact that it was a targeted break-in makes it that much more frightening.”

In a satisfying moment of justice, the man responsible for the attack on Cumberbatch's London home has been brought to justice for his actions. The former luxury hotel worker pleaded guilty to criminal damage at Woodgreen Crown Court, receiving a £250 fine and a three-year ban.

The restraining order prohibits Bissell from approaching the Cumberbatch family or their living area. Despite the disturbing nature of his actions, prosecutors said the incident appeared to be deliberate.

On the day of the attack, Bissell reportedly stopped at a nearby store to buy two packages of pita bread. While there, he allegedly told the shopkeeper about his intentions to break into the star's house and set it on fire.

Cumberbatch is no stranger to the challenges of his craft, but his reliance on authenticity came at a cost during the filming of “Power of the Dog.”

In a 2021 interview with Esquire Magazine, Cumberbatch revealed that he got nicotine poisoning not once, but three times while playing Phil Burbank, a chain-smoking rancher.

An explosion reported that Cumberbatch smoked countless no-filters for the role, which was detrimental to his health. “It was really hard. Playing without a filter, take after take after take. I got nicotine poisoning three times,” he admitted, calling the experience “terrible”.

Adding to the challenge was the shame he felt about his body odor, especially during public outings. Resuming the habit must have been especially difficult for the actor, who reportedly quit smoking in 2014.