Benedict Cumberbatch shrugged off British newspaper criticism of his female co-star’s nude scene in TV’s latest season of Sherlock.

It’s great publicity, isn’t it?

It may be an effort to sell papers, he said, but it also helps the drama about a modern-day Holmes that will air its second season in the US in May.

“It’s great publicity, isn’t it?” Mr Cumberbatch told the US Television Critics Association.

“I think there’s an awful lot of support for the way that we did it (the scene) and the taste that we didit with.

And if it creates more interest in the programme, thank you very much for that.”

In last week’s BBC episode titled A Scandal in Belgravia, Sherlock Holmes has a close encounter with a whip-smart dominatrix, Irene Adler (Lara Pulver), who gets under his skin by flashing much of hers.

Some detractors said the scene was too racy to be screened early in the evening, when children are more likely to be watching TV.

“It’s not supposed to be a source of stimulation for the audience,” Mr Cumberbatch said. “It’s supposed to throw his (Holmes’s) radar off, which is exactly what it does.”

He played it coy on whether the hit series about Conan Doyle’s great detective and sidekick Dr Watson (Martin Freeman) will return for a third season.

The actor has become a hot property with film credits including Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and War Horse.

During a Q&A with the US critics by satellite from London, Mr Cumberbatch pretended to seek legal counsel when asked if he would sign up for more Sherlock. He also consulted another fictional lawyer when queried about his role in the forthcoming Star Trek sequel from film-maker J.J. Abrams.

“I’m just getting my head around the fact it’s happened ... I’ll give you my headline on it, which is, ‘I’m over the moon’.”

Mr Cumberbatch was to attend the London premiere of War Horse this weekend.

“I work for him,” the actor added,” as ambassador for the Prince of Wales Trust that aids disadvantaged youth.”