Benedict Cumberbatch has been announced as Guest Director for the 2013 Cambridge Science Festival. The actor, most famous for his appearances in the BBC dramas Sherlock and Parade’s End, confirmed his position in a note published today on the Festival website, writing that he was ‘delighted’ to be involved.

“As an actor who has researched playing Stephen Hawking, Heisenberg and both Frankenstein and his creation I’ve long had a passion for all fields of science”, he states in his note. He also stresses the importance of engaging the public with science, which “can often seem daunting and distancing”, and adds that “a festival of this range and accessibility is a hugely important bridge between science and the public.”

Cumberbatch has identified certain events at the Festival which have already caught his eye. “As someone who has portrayed Sherlock Holmes I’m of course particularly looking forward to Professor Jim Woodhouse on the 8thMarch talking about why the violin is so hard to play and also on the 16thMarch testing my real-life deduction skills in the mock crime scene at the Central Science Library.”

Dane Comerford, Public Engagement Events Manager for the Science Festival team, has expressed his delight at Mr Cumberbatch’s participation. “We are delighted to have Benedict Cumberbatch involved as Guest Director this year. He has helped us shape some events and picked out some personal favourites that reflect his career, personal interests and friendship with Cambridge scientists such as Professor Barbara Sahakian to Professor Stephen Hawking whom Benedict played in the 2004 BBC TV drama, ‘Hawking’.”

Excitement surrounding the appointment of Mr Cumberbatch has not been limited to festival organisers. Holly Samuel, an Arts undergraduate at St John’s said, “It’s great to have such a prominent figure as the handsome face of the event but even better that someone so involved in the arts is promoting sciences. It really has the potential to bring the event to a wider portion of the student body.”

The Cambridge Science Festival will take place at sites across the University from 11th-24thMarch, with over 200 events organised for people of all ages and abilities with an interest in science. These range from practical demonstrations to lectures given by some of the world’s most renowned scientists. A programme of events will be released on 28thJanuary.