Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch has given an honest and insightful interview in which he discusses everything from Sherlock series 3, his reservations about Elementary and shooting Hollywood blockbusters The Hobbit and Star Trek 2. Sherlock series 2 spoilers ahead!

Speaking to Shortlist, the actor gave a surprisingly frank insight into life as a result of his new found fame and how he deals with the increased attention. But while he was honest about his personal life, he was very much toeing the line when it came to Sherlock‘s series 3 and the shocking finale of “The Reichenbach Fall” – keeping all secrets close to his chest.

“We’ve had a couple of meetings but I don’t think we’re filming until January,” he said when pressed on the show’s third outing. “I need to have some more talks with [Moffat and co-creator Mark Gatiss] and tease them about the fact that I do have a career outside of Sherlock now, so they’d better f*cking write something.” When it came to his character’s faked death, Benedict was giving nothing away but wise cracks – suggesting “all the homeless people” in London formed a “human mattress” to catch the super sleuth after he jumped off a hospital roof.

Things got more serious when the conversation turned to Elementary, though. The upcoming Sherlock Holmes adaptation attracted controversy earlier this year when it was revealed to be a modern interpretation of the Arthur Conan-Doyle stories, attracting claims of plagiarism. While star Jonny-Lee Miller initially said he had received clearance from his former Frankenstein co-star to take on the role of the great detective, Cumberbatch seems to remember things differently.

“It’s very odd. I did say, ‘Well, I’d prefer you didn’t do it but you’ve got a kid to feed, a nice house in LA and a wife to keep in good clothes,’” he recalled. “I wish him the best of luck, but I’m a bit cynical about why they’ve chosen to do it and why they cast him.” Benedict also admitted he got hold of a copy of Elementary‘s pilot script to ensure there weren’t too many similarities. Was he satisfied? “I don’t feel threatened by it and I wish [Jonny] the best, which is as diplomatic as I can be.”

While Cumberbatch may have made his name in television, his cinematic successes are bringing him even further into the spotlight with a number of big name roles under his belt. The actor was still keeping mum on the identity of his Star Trek 2 character, but he did say “I’ll tell you this, it’s iconic and it’s exciting.” But when conversation turned to The Hobbit (in which the Sherlock star will play Smaug and The Necromancer), he appeared to let a small detail slip: “I even did a sky dive while I was in New Zealand, which I shouldn’t be telling anyone, but there you go.”

Do you have any theories on Sherlock‘s apparent death? Which of Benedict’s upcoming roles are you most looking forward to?