Benedict Cumberbatch apologizes for using term ‘colored actors’

Benedict Cumberbatch has apologized for offending people by using the “outmoded” term “colored actors.”

“The Imitation Game” and “Sherlock” star came under fire following a “Tavis Smiley Show” interview on PBS last week in which he touched upon the lack of diversity in talent in his native U.K.

“I think as far as colored actors go, it gets really difficult in the U.K. and I think a lot of my friends have had more opportunities here than in the U.K. and that’s something that needs to change,” the 38-year-old Oscar nominee said.

The utterance was criticized as outdated and out of touch, despite the actor’s attempt to discuss race disparities in his field.

“Benedict Cumberbatch has highlighted a very important issue within the entertainment industry and within society,” a spokesperson for charity Show Racism the Red Card told various outlets. “In doing so, he has also inadvertently highlighted the issue of appropriate terminology and the evolution of language.”

Smiley, who is African American, didn’t speak about the actor’s remarks, but didn’t seem to take much offense to them either.

“Those who saw Benedict Cumberbatch on @PBS, know he feels persons of color are underrepresented in #Hollywood,” he tweeted. Monday, linking to the full interview.

On Monday, the “devastated” Emmy winner called himself an “idiot” and “complete fool” for his “thoughtless use of inappropriate language.”

“I’m devastated to have caused offense by using this outmoded terminology. I offer my sincere apologies,” he said in a statement to the Los Angeles Times. “I make no excuse for my being an idiot and know the damage is done. I can only hope this incident will highlight the need for correct usage of terminology that is accurate and inoffensive.”

He continued: “The most shaming aspect of this for me is that I was talking about racial inequality in the performing arts in the UK and the need for rapid improvements in our industry when I used the term. I feel the complete fool I am and while I am sorry to have offended people and to learn from my mistakes in such a public manner please be assured I have. I apologize again to anyone who I offended for this thoughtless use of inappropriate language about an issue which affects friends of mine and which I care about deeply.”

Incidentally, the star, who appeared in the Oscar-winning “12 Years a Slave,” was called out last year regarding his family history of slave ownership when New York City Commissioner Stacey Cumberbatch said that she believed that the actor’s distant relative (fifth great-grandfather, to be exact) had owned her ancestors on an 18th century sugar plantation in Barbados.

“The Hobbit” actor has previously addressed the topic and his mother, Wanda Ventham, discouraged him from using his last name because of it, the Telegraph said.

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