Benedict Cumberbatch teams with director Lyndsey Turner on Hamlet next year?

Benedict Cumberbatch revealed to us back in 2005 that Hamlet was high on his 'to-do' list, and now it looks like his dream is nearing a reality.

According to the Daily Mail, producer Sonia Friedman is in discussions with Cumberbatch and Chimerica director Lyndsey Turner to mount a production in "autumn 2014".

Friedman said: "We're in advanced discussions with Benedict Cumberbatch about playing Hamlet, and we're at the stage of sorting out schedules concerning him and the director Lyndsey Turner. Key to those talks is West End theatre availability, or availability of a non-traditional theatre space to present the play."

Cumberbatch's previous stage credits include Frankenstein and After the Dance at the National, and Hedda Gabler, which transferred from the Almeida Theatre to the West End.

His TV and film credits include Star Trek, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and the title role in popular BBC series Sherlock.

If he does play Hamlet, he'll become the latest in a plethora of big names to tackle Shakespeare's biggest role in recent times. Others include Michael Sheen (Young Vic), Rory Kinnear (National), John Simm (Sheffield Theatres) and Jude Law (Donmar West End).

”Cumberstats! (Click image for larger version…)”

See also: 20 Questions with Benedict Cumberbatch