It’s no fun talking about a new Benedict Cumberbatch interview once dozens of people have threadjacked an older post to discuss it. But here we go anyway. Apparently, in this week’s print edition of People Magazine, Benedict has given an interview. He talks about Sophie Hunter, his lover and fiancée, and the engagement and all of that. The way he talks about her is… odd. I’m saying that as a Cumberbitch and as a long-time gossip-reader. Usually when a celebrity man gets engaged, they say nice things about their fiancée, like “I met the coolest, most amazing woman and I had to lock it down, you know?” Benedict doesn’t do that. He always talks about Sophie in relation to how she feels about him, or as if she’s an extension of him. It’s really weird and somewhat patronizing.

He broke the hearts of millions of fans earlier this month when he announced his engagement to his girlfriend of one year, Sophie Hunter. And in the Monday issue of People, Benedict Cumberbatch talked about why he likes his 36-year-old soon-to-be-wife so much.

‘She’s just really cool,’ the 38-year-old actor, who is promoting his new movie The Imitation Game, offered. Benedict shared that, despite developing a worldwide fandom, he wants to keep his private life as normal as possible. ‘I want to normalize this part of our lives,’ the Sherlock star shared.

However, that doesn’t mean that the meme-inspiring British star isn’t head over heels for his new fiancée who he met on the set of 2009’s Burlesque Fairytale. He explained to the magazine that she flawlessly handles the abundance of adoration from Benedict’s many adoring fans.

‘She’s proud of my work, she’s proud of me, and she loves me,’ he said. ‘That’s the bottom line, isn’t it? That’s one of the reasons it’s a good fit. It could be a really difficult thing, but she’s just so in command of it.’

However, while the star was open about his admiration for his future wife, he was mum on whether or not they’ll be quick to start a family, saying: ‘I’ve got to be very coy on that one. Very silent.’

It might not surprise you to learn that the star, who is famous for playing intellectuals like Sherlock Holmes and Stephen Hawking, is most happy at home with a good book.

‘I’m a homebody,’ he said. ‘I love to stay in at night, light a fire, have a whiskey and watch a movie or read a good book…People forget about books. They’re always just turning on the television, but reading a good book is the most nourishing thing you can do.’

On his off days, Benedict said that he also likes keeping busy by being active and taking a walk or a hike outside. ‘I love just taking a brisk walk in the park. And hiking, just getting away in nature,’ he said. ‘You get some perspective and see the world as it really is. Which is, we’re a species, on a planet.’

[From The Daily Mail]

“She’s proud of my work, she’s proud of me, and she loves me.” Um, but how to you feel about her? I actually think Benedict is trying to convince his fanbase that Sophie is “worthy” of him, which… pisses me off, but I also acknowledge that many of Benedict’s fans believe that she is deeply unworthy, so there you go.

Benedict also talked about his fame, saying: “I’m used to observing, and now I’m the one being observed. But the trick is to not be self-conscious and go about your normal day.” And he was thrilled to be seated next to Brad and Angelina at the Oscars, saying: “I was chatting with them and thinking, am I really sitting next to these two now? That’s amazing.”

What else… Benedict told the Marvel fanboys that the Doctor Strange thing is still just a rumor. And Benedict also told The Times that he’s finally quit smoking, saying: “I’ve given up smoking. Although I shouldn’t say that, because if I ever have a cigarette again and it’ll be all over the place, ‘Oh he lied.’ But, touch wood, I haven’t smoked for a month now and it’s really helping.” Wow, that might explain some stuff. Nicotine withdrawal is a hell of a thing. *puts Nicorette on the wedding registry*

Photos courtesy of PCN, WENN.