I'm The One Benedict Cumberbatch Goes To For A Hug!

Una Stubbs, 79, talks to Nathalie Whittle about her bond with the Sherlock star and how maternal instincts inspired her role

- Nathalie Whittle

Una Stubbs is single and has been married twice, with an adopted son, Jason, from her first marriage to actor Peter Gilmore, and two sons, composer Christian Henson and musician-composer Joe Henson, from her second marriage to actor Nicky Henson. She has six grandchildren ranging in age from three to 30. She plays Mrs Hudson, landlady to Sherlock Holmes, played by Benedict Cumberbatch, in the BAFTA award-winning series, Sherlock, which returns to our screens in the New Year.

When I was offered my role in Sherlock six years ago, I admit I thought I was just doing another pilot. In fact, my actor friends said to me, “Gosh, it’s a very small part you know.” I don’t think any of us imagined what a success it would be back then.

Now I get people telling me they love me in the streets! Fans even stay overnight in the bushes where we’re filming, so they can give us bunches of flowers. My friends ask if that level of attention is difficult, but I tell them I think of it like a little village where people say hello to one another.