If you pay attention to social media, you have heard of Benedict Cumberbatch. A widely unknown British actor until BBC Sherlock garnered its staggering international popularity, Cumberbatch has become one of the most popular actors of this decade. His fans, who began terming themselves “Cumberbitches” (later mostly changing to the “Cumbercollective” at Cumberbatch’s bidding) are obsessed with his work, his unconventional good looks, and genuinely seem to like him as a person. For several reasons, he may be one of the best things to happen to Hollywood.

First, Cumberbatch’s work is truly great. Many celebrities who inspire devotion of this magnitude are mediocre actors. Yes, they may be good in one or two kinds of roles, but they generally lack the kind of acting chops that lend themselves to great works of art. Cumberbatch, perhaps because he had nearly thirty-five years to hone his craft on stage and screen before he became popular, has nearly unheard of variety. He works an incredible amount of detail into his roles, crafting the particular way his characters stand, which facial expressions they use, and by which rhythms they move and speak. In this way, he chameleons himself, taking on the very skin of his characters and selling who they are as people. Hence, he can be convincing in the vast array of characters he plays (Sherlock, Smaug, Khan, Alan Turing, Hamlet…)

Second, he is not a traditionally handsome man. He is, by no means, unattractive, but he is not someone who would be a sex - symbol were it not for his incredible work and his ability to sell his characters’ sexiness. In other words, he is not famous because he was born with a panty-wetting face. He is famous because he is good at his job.

Third, he seems to be a genuinely good person. He is not only an activist for civil rights, but he also works alongside several charities that he cares about. He exhibits the kind of good for which all people should strive. Also, I personally have not heard anything bad about him, save for his fans’ concern when he looks unhappy in his photographs. And this is uncommon when he has his wife, theatre director Sophie Hunter, with him. She is also an artistic, intelligent soul and their recent marriage and foray into parenthood had fans weeping tears of joy for their beloved Ben.

Finally, Cumberbatch’s work and fame is a sign of a shift in American society. Perhaps, instead of looking for the hottest person to have a crush on, we are beginning to appreciate real artistic content. This is important because acting is an art and can change the world by degrees, but it is often viewed as an insipid pastime because much of the popular work is vacuous. With any luck, the nation's love for Cumberbatch indicates that the United States is entering into an era wherein artistic expression is celebrated and art is allowed to heal societal wounds.