Benedict Cumberbatch on Syrian migration crisis: 'F--- the politicians'

By Joshua Axelrod, Joshua Axelrod

Published December 20, 2015

Actor Benedict Cumberbatch gave British theatergoers a surprise earlier this week when he used strong language to express his frustration on how British politicians are handling the influx of Syrian refugees.

The "Sherlock" star, who has been starring in "Hamlet" at the Barbican in London, has been giving post-show monologues urging patrons to donate to Save the Children. According to Cumberbatch in one of his post-performance speeches, he has raised more than $150,000 in audience donations.

During his performance on Tuesday, Cumberbatch let loose about his feelings on the British government's decision to accept 20,000 refugees over the next five years.

"He burst into this magnificent monologue about Syrian refugees, about how they are all fathers, mothers, daughters and sons, just like us," Charlotte Fletcher, a 25-year-old public relations worker who attended the performance, told NBC News.

"Then he just shouted, 'F--- the politicians!'" Fletcher continued. "It was a wonderful moment. It was very impassioned and from the heart. It was amazing to see an actor just being so impassioned and raw."