Benedict Cumberbatch 'In Advanced Discussions' To Play His Dream Role Of Hamlet In The West End

He wowed critics with his role-swapping performance in Frankenstein in 2011 - and now Benedict Cumberbatch could be coming back to the West End stage.

Because the Sherlock star is in "advanced discussions" to play Hamlet next year.

Cumberbatch, 37, could be on stage as the Danish prince and according to the Daily Mail, he has been in talks with theatre producer Sonia Friedman to make this happen.

She told the paper: "We're in advanced discussions with Benedict Cumberbatch about playing Hamlet, and we're at the stage of sorting out schedules concerning him and the director Lyndsey Turner."

Benedict Cumberbatch is in talks to play Hamlet in the West End next year (WENN)

"Key to those talks is West End theatre availability, or availability of a non-traditional theatre space to present the play."

Cumberbatch is best known for playing fictional detective Sherlock Holmes in the BBC series, but in 2011 he wowed theatre critics with his role-swapping performance in Frankenstein at the National Theatre.

He starred alongside Johnny Lee Miller and each night they would take it in turns to either play Victor Frankenstein or the Creature.

Benedict has previously expressed his desire to play Hamlet, and last year told the Telegraph: "I hope to return to theatre soon, hopefully as Hamlet, as it's a role I've been interested in for a long time.

"I don't know if there is such a thing as a right age to play the part, but 36 or 37 seems appropriate to me, so I need to do it before long."

He's certainly been a busy boy of late - not only has he recently finished filming the eagerly-awaited third series of Sherlock, but he has also starred in a number of high-profile films, including the Julian Assange biopic The Fifth Estate and the screen adaptation of Tracy Letts hit play August: Osage County.

This weekend he is up for an Emmy in the Outstanding Lead Actor in Mini Series or Movie for his role as Christopher Tietjens in Parade's End.

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