Benedict Cumberbatch Engaged? ‘Sherlock’ Actor Sparks Proposal Rumors After Vacationing With Girlfriend Sophie Hunter

After just four months of publicly dating, British film and TV star Benedict Cumberbatch is rumored to be planning to pop the question to his girlfriend and former co-star, actress Sophie Hunter. The Daily Mail is reporting that Cumberbatch’s recent visit to Hunter’s hometown of Edinburgh, Scotland, has prompted speculation that he might have asked his girlfriend's mother, Anna, for her daughter's hand in marriage.

Cumberbatch, 38, was reportedly accompanied by Hunter during his trip to secure the rumored marriage blessing. The couple is also said to have taken a tour of the Royal Botanic Garden during their vacation.

The rumored engagement comes just several weeks after the "Sherlock" star made his relationship public. Photographers first caught a glimpse of the pair sitting side-by-side at the French Open in Paris together June 10. The couple reunited for a public appearance at pianist James Rhodes’ wedding Sept. 27.

The duo has been keeping their romance more low-key this month. On Oct. 8, Hunter was seen keeping her distance from Cumberbatch at the European premiere of “The Imitation Game” in London. Later that same night, the duo made separate exits leaving the Corinthia Hotel. Photographers also failed to capture an image of the couple together during their most recent outing to Quaglino’s restaurant in London Saturday.

Cumberbatch was first rumored to have a new love interest in April after ShowBizSpy.com reported that he had found a girlfriend who reportedly preferred to remain anonymous. Following speculation that his off-screen leading lady may have been his onetime dating partner, “Fifty Shades of Grey” actress Dakota Johnson, the Sunday Mirror confirmed that she was Hunter, his former “Burlesque Fairytales” co-star.

If marriage is in the cards for Cumberbatch, this will be his first. His last long-term relationship to actress and screenwriter Olivia Poulet ended in 2010 after nearly a decade.

Despite his affinity for keeping his personal life private, Cumberbatch spoke out about his desire to settle down during an interview with the Sunday Mail in April 2013.

"I would love to have children,” he said. “Everyone wants to know when I’m going to settle down and who is going to be Mrs. Cumberbatch. I can’t wait to do an interview like this and just talk about my child."