‘Sherlock’ star defends nude scene

Associated Press

PASADENA, Calif.

Benedict Cumberbatch is shrugging off British newspaper criticism of his female co-star’s nude scene in TV’s latest season of “Sherlock.”

It may be an effort to sell papers, he said, but it also helps the drama about a modern-day Holmes that will air its second season in the United States this May on PBS’ “Masterpiece Mystery!”

“It’s great publicity, isn’t it?” Cumberbatch told the Television Critics Association on Thursday.

“I think there’s an awful lot of support for the way that we did it (the scene) and the taste that we did it with. And if it creates more interest in the program, thank you very much for that.”

In this week’s BBC-aired episode titled “A Scandal in Belgravia,” Holmes has a close encounter with a whip-smart dominatrix, Irene Adler (Lara Pulver), who gets under his skin by flashing much of hers.

Some detractors said the scene was too racy to air early in the evening, when children are more likely to be watching TV.

“It’s not supposed to be a source of stimulation for the audience,” Cumberbatch said.

“It’s supposed to throw his (Holmes’) radar off, which is exactly what it does.”