Has there really been hidden drama that not even Sherlock Holmes could figure out at 221B Baker Street this whole time? Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson might have worked really well together, most of the time at least, but it doesn't seem like that comradery extended to the actors behind them.
Whether there's an actual feud between the Sherlock co-stars, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Martin Freeman remains to be seen, but there is some evidence to back it up. Freeman has said a couple of things that have upset Benedict Cumberbatch, that much is true. But for certain publications to insinuate that there's some feud going on between them is taking it a little far, especially when they say that it's been going on since the beginning of Sherlock.
Whatever beef may or may not be between them didn't stop them from starring in the same franchises after all. They were never seen together at the same time in both franchises sadly, but that wasn't because they hated working together. So, what really happened between them, and are Benedict and Martin still friends? Let's take a look!
Updated on October 19, 2021, by Michael Chaar: Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman appeared alongside one another for four seasons of Sherlock and The Hobbit, however, it appears as if they aren't as close in real life as they are on-screen. After Martin Freeman got his words tangled after seemingly shading the Sherlock fanbase, Benedict came back with what appeared to be a passive-aggressive comment, leading fans to believe the two were feuding. While there's no major feud, the two aren't as close as you'd think. Many have wondered whether Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman are friends, and to put it bluntly, the answer is no. While the two keep things professional and polite, they reportedly do not speak or hang out outside of work.
Freeman And Cumberbatch Have Differing Views On Fans
To say that Sherlock garnered a humble following over the years is an understatement. The series has accumulated an incredibly loyal fanbase, sometimes even an obsessive and overbearing one, ever since it premiered. Have you seen all the fanfiction, fanart, and fansites that the cult following has produced?
For Freeman, this type of fanbase was scary. Fair enough. He wasn't used to being an international star or being followed around by fans like The Beatles.
So when he explained that the oppressive nature of the fans put a damper on making more seasons, it got adverse reactions. The press, fans, and even Cumberbatch himself roasted him alive and construed his words to make it seem like he was in a feud with his co-star.
In an interview with The Daily Dot in 2018, Freeman said, "Being in that show, it is a mini-Beatles thing. People’s expectations, some of it’s not fun anymore. It’s not a thing to be enjoyed, it’s a thing of: 'You better f***ing do this, otherwise, you’re a c***.' That’s not fun anymore."
Publications like The Sun painted Freeman as the bad guy for "moaning about the attention he receives from their hit show’s hardcore following." They continued to say that Martin was appearing to "blame Sherlock’s obsessive fans for the lack of a fifth series" of Sherlock.
Cumberbatch was quick to respond in his own interview with The Telegraph not long after. “I’m very grateful for the support, but that’s about it. It takes on its own thing. But that happens with every franchise or entity like this," he responded.
"It’s pretty pathetic if that’s all it takes to let you not want to take a grip of your reality. What, because of expectations? I don’t necessarily agree with that...There’s a level of obsession where [the franchise] becomes [the fans’] even though we’re the ones making it. But I just don’t feel affected by that in the same way, I have to say."
Since Cumberbatch said he disagreed with Freeman, everyone took it to mean that they must be in a feud. Some even went as far as to unfairly assume that Freeman's always been jealous of Cumberbatch's stardom ever since they first starred in Sherlock.
Freeman Was Taken Out Of Context
In his rebuttal to the Daily Beast, Freeman explained what he initially meant to say. "There’s a certain aspect that some fans are going to run with the ball and make their own thing out of your show — which is completely fair enough, as long as we all acknowledge that that is what is happening," he said.
"The show itself, I’m well aware of its importance in my life, both professionally and personally, because I love the show. I’m a fan of the show. Unfortunately, that’s the joy of being quoted out of context, and joy of newspapers needing a headline, even though the headline is not something I ever said at any point in the interview."
Freeman has also talked about the trajectory of Cumberbatch's career, saying, "I’ve got enough madness in my life without it being there all the time." This has also led people to believe that Freeman's jealous of the Dr. Strange actor, while others warn readers to refrain from "reading between the lines."
"While Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman have different takes on the fandom and how that relates to producing more Sherlock, there is no need to break out Team Cumberbatch or Team Freeman t-shirts," CinemaBlend wrote.
Are Benedict And Martin Still Friends?
While Benedict and Martin's tiff may have had a big effect on Sherlock as a series, it's had an even bigger effect on their friendship. Many fans are now wondering whether the two are on good terms or not, and it appears as if they aren't even friends!
According to a source close to the BBC duo, they are not even close. "Benedict and Martin will never be best mates — they’re not even close. They’ve remained professional in public as the series got more and more popular but there was always a concern their relationship could break down," the source shared. To make matters worse, the two reportedly don't even speak during takes or breaks on-set, proving that a fifth series might not ever come to fruition.