From Public Radio International’s Bullseye with Jesse Thorn:

Benedict Cumberbatch is a British actor, and the man currently responsible for instilling life into a modern Sherlock Holmes on PBS’s Masterpiece series Sherlock, alongside Martin Freeman of The Office as John Watson. While Cumberbatch and Freeman are the latest in a long line of actors to play these characters, there is something fresh about their adaptation: Sherlock takes place in the present day, updating the classic detective to our modern era. In the past year, Cumberbatch has memorably stolen scenes in period dramas like War Horse and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, and is currently filming his first major villainous role as Khan in next summer’s J.J. Abrams Star Trek sequel.

Benedict joins Jesse to discuss bringing a new take to an iconic character, and what keeps Holmes relevant to both writers and audiences all these years later. He also opens up about how a life-threatening altercation while filming in South Africa in 2004 left him changed as a person. The Series Two finale of Sherlock airs this Sunday, May 20th, on PBS Masterpiece. Series Two will be available on DVD just two days later, on Tuesday the 22nd.

For more interviews about the best in pop culture, comedy, and recommendations every week, visit us in iTunes, our RSS feed or www.maximumfun.org.