
Benedict Cumberbatch Details 'Near-Death' Experience While Being Abducted in South Africa

Benedict Cumberbatch is looking back at a terrifying experience.
In a new interview with Variety, the 48-year-old Doctor Strange actor recalled filming a BBC television series back in the day in South Africa where he and his friends were abducted, bound, eventually abandoned in a “near-death” experience.
Keep reading to find out more…Back in 2004, Benedict was in his late 20s when he was shooting the miniseries To the Ends of the Earth in South Africa when he and some friends went on an diving excursion.
While driving home, their tire blew out and after the pulled over to the side of the road, they were robbed and abducted by six men. Benedict and his friends were forced into the car and driven around for hours before eventually their kidnappers let them out, tied them up, and made them sit execution-style. Eventually the men fled.
Benedict says that the horrifying...
In a new interview with Variety, the 48-year-old Doctor Strange actor recalled filming a BBC television series back in the day in South Africa where he and his friends were abducted, bound, eventually abandoned in a “near-death” experience.
Keep reading to find out more…Back in 2004, Benedict was in his late 20s when he was shooting the miniseries To the Ends of the Earth in South Africa when he and some friends went on an diving excursion.
While driving home, their tire blew out and after the pulled over to the side of the road, they were robbed and abducted by six men. Benedict and his friends were forced into the car and driven around for hours before eventually their kidnappers let them out, tied them up, and made them sit execution-style. Eventually the men fled.
Benedict says that the horrifying...
- 1/24/2025
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
Similar News
The Ultimate Wes Anderson Gift Guide
- 5/21/2025
- by Anna Tingley
- Variety Film + TV

“Alex, would you give me a few days…”: Voyager’s Kate Mulgrew Almost Said No When Alex Kurtzman Asked Her to Return to Star Trek
- 5/20/2025
- by Nishanth A
- FandomWire

Wes Anderson's New Black Comedy Debuts With Solid Rt Score, But Where Does It Rank Among His Greatest Hits?
- 5/20/2025
- by Adam Bentz
- ScreenRant

Jordon Scott Kennedy Reignites the Joy of Working Class Childhoods in His BBC Comedy Short ‘Rocket Fuel’
- 5/22/2025
- by Sarah Smith
- Directors Notes

BBC Content Supremo Latest: Banijay UK Boss Patrick Holland Out, Kate Phillips Person To Beat
- 5/22/2025
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV

Breaking Baz @ Cannes: Stellan Skarsgård Finds A Sweet Party Spot After The Triumph Of Joachim Trier’s Cannes Sensation ‘Sentimental Value’
- 5/22/2025
- by Baz Bamigboye
- Deadline Film + TV

5 new Netflix shows to watch (and 2 to skip) in June 2025
- 5/21/2025
- by Reed Gaudens
- ShowSnob

Wes Anderson Delights Cannes as ‘Phoenician Scheme’ Lands 6.5-Minute Standing Ovation, Leading Lady Mia Threapleton Overcome With Tears
- 5/18/2025
- by Tatiana Siegel and Zack Sharf
- Variety Film + TV

Claudia Jessie’s Wild Similarity With Bridgerton’s Eloise Proves She’s the Character In Real Life
- 5/17/2025
- by Jhelum Mehta
- FandomWire

IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.