BBC announce Sherlock's new arch-nemesis

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Danish actor Lars Mikkelsen has been unveiled as Benedict Cumberbatch's new arch-nemesis in the third series of hit BBC1 drama Sherlock.

Best known for his performance as mayoral candidate in Danish crime thriller The Killing, Lars will play Charles Augustus Magnussen (as seen above) a character that may be familiar to Sherlock Holmes afficianados. 

The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton - a short story published by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in 1904 - focuses on the eponymous 'king of all blackmailers', a ruthless character Holmes describes as more distasteful than any of the murderers he has encountered. 

Milverton makes his living by extorting money from rich nobles using scandalous revelations about their personal lives. 

Lars is the brother of fellow actor Mads Mikkelsen, who stars in serial killer drama Hannibal and famously played James Bond villain Le Chiffre in Daniel Craig's debut as 007, Casino Royale. 

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Sean Marland
Sean Marland

Sean is a Senior Feature writer for TV Times, What's On TV and TV & Satellite Week, who also writes for whattowatch.com. He's been covering the world of TV for over 15 years and in that time he's been lucky enough to interview stars like Ian McKellen, Tom Hardy and Kate Winslet. His favourite shows are I'm Alan Partridge, The Wire, People Just Do Nothing and Succession and in his spare time he enjoys drinking tea, doing crosswords and watching football.