‘Sherlock’ season 4: How Benedict Cumberbatch remembers his complicated lines

There are many actors who have to memorize page after page of script in a very short amount of time these days, but there is a small group of TV actors we feel for the most. Why? They have to try to piece together a series of complicated words and phrases in rapid-fire fashion. Think of anyone on a medical show as a prime example, or Benedict Cumberbatch on “Sherlock.”

So how does he in particular manage to pull it off? This is no easy feat, but as the actor tells People Magazine, he has a very specific method to his madness that includes him being careful about what he drinks, and also making sure that he is in the right frame of mind:

“There are two things. I memorize them very painstakingly and slowly. And I try to exercise, and stay off the cigarettes, booze and caffeine when filming, so I’ve got this good, healthy oxygenated blood and can think fast … There’s always a moment when I get behind and I’m having a messy day, and I’m just kind of going, ‘Sorry …. ‘ But by and large, you have to be really disciplined.”

Cumberbatch may actually be practicing some of these techniques right now, given that he is at present doing some filming on the one-off / season 4 special that could air on the BBC near the end of the year. There are three other episodes comprising the fourth season, but at the moment, there is no specific timetable as to when any of them are going to air.

The only thing that we can tell you is rather simple: Keep an eye out for more scoop! You can for now head over here to get some of our own recent updates when it comes to the series, or sign up right now for some further TV scoop, sent right over to you, via our CarterMatt Newsletter. (Photo: BBC One.)