Benedict Cumberbatch may or may not be dating a Russian model named Katia Elizarova, but one thing that he IS giving her is acting lessons in preparation for her London stage debut. So either way, I am so sorry, ladies. You poor ladies! From BBC America:

“I have just got my script and began rehearsals. Ben has been a great help, but he is very strict. He asks me all about what my character wears, and even how she dresses her daughter. I said, ‘Well, in a dress,’ and he said, ‘No, that isn’t good enough, what dress?’

“So I explained that my character is trying not to draw attention to her daughter because she is planning an affair, but he just said, ‘Nevertheless, you ought to know how your character would dress her daughter’.”

Yes. The very FIRST rule of good acting is “always know how your character would dress her daughter.” This guy knows what he’s talking about. Obviously, this is a very good description of the depth of thought that Benedict Cumberbatch puts into his roles, and it’s exactly this kind of attention to character detail that makes him such a great actor, and make no mistake, flip flops and capri pants aside, he’s a great actor! And hopefully some of his lessons rub off on Katia Elizarova and she knocks them all dead in her London stage debut. No, yeah, totally, I’m actually sure the student has already become the master. “Forsooth! My character would dress her daughter in a yellow cotton dress, Mr. Dead Salesman!” BRAVISSIMAAAAAAAA!