US is better for black actors than UK: Benedict Cumberbatch

LOS ANGELES: 'The Imitation Game' star Benedict Cumberbatch has revealed the films in the US encourage diverse casting.

Speaking on PBS talk show 'Tavis Smiley', Cumberbatch said that he had witnessed British actors of colour finding more opportunities across the pond.

"I think as far as coloured actors go, it gets really different 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 said.

"Something's gone wrong, we're not representative enough in our culture of different races and that really does need to step up a pace," he added.

Cumberbatch's comments come amidst ongoing controversy around the lack of diversity in this year's Oscar nominations.