'Sherlock' Season 4 Premiere Air Date, Spoilers & News Update: Benedict Cumberbatch Racist? Calls Black Actors 'Colored'

Even the most charming of actors can make mistakes sometimes, and the world will put them under fire, depending on how big the mistake they made is.

Thus the case of "Sherlock" lead actor Benedict Cumberbatch when the actor mistakenly described black actors as "colored" in an interview. In a report by The Daily Record, Cumberbatch said that he was "devastated" when anti-racism campaigners put him under fire for using the term during an apparent debate on the lack of racial diversity on British screens.

On the US talk show Tavis Smiley, Cumberbatch went on record to say, "I think as far as coloured actors go it gets really difficult in the UK, and a lot of my friends have had more opportunities here (in the US) than in the UK and that's something that needs to change."

He later on apologized for using the term "colored actors" on US television, and admitting that he's been "an idiot." He issued a statement, saying, "I'm devastated to have caused offence by using this outmoded terminology. I offer my sincere apologies. I make no excuse for my being an idiot and know the damage is done."

He also went on: "I can only hope this incident will highlight the need for correct usage of terminology that is accurate and inoffensive. The most shaming aspect of this for me is that I was talking about racial inequality in the performing arts in the UK and the need for rapid improvements in our industry when I used the term.

"I feel the complete fool I am and while I am sorry to have offended people and to learn from my mistakes in such a public manner please be assured I have.

"I apologise again to anyone who I offended for this thoughtless use of inappropriate language about an issue which affects friends of mine and which I care about deeply."

The Daily Mail also reported that British anti-racism educational charity, Show Racism the Red Card, has noted that the term "colored" is outdated and now has the potential to cause offense. A statement from the organization said, "Benedict Cumberbatch has highlighted a very important issue within the entertainment industry and within society. The lack of representation of people from black and ethnic minority backgrounds within certain industries in the UK is an issue which needs addressing. We are pleased that Benedict has spoken out in support of more appropriate representation and of the views of actors and campaigners like Lenny Henry."

They went on to say, "In doing so, he has also inadvertently highlighted the issue of appropriate terminology and the evolution of language. Show Racism the Red Card feel that the term 'colored' is now outdated and has the potential to cause offence due to the connotations associated with the term and its historical usage.

Was Cumberbatch's racist slip-up acceptable, or did he deserve to be under fire for using such an outdated term?