12-Years A Slave actor, Benedict Cumberbatch put himself in a position that may be hard to pull back from. “I think as far as colored actors go, it gets really difficult in the UK, and I think a lot of my friends have had more opportunities here [in the U.S.] than in the UK, and that’s something that needs to change,” Cumberbatch said to PBS talk show host, Tavis Smiley. The term “colored” being a possible game-changer for the English native. This slipping in the midst of him speaking on inequality among black actors in the U.K.

Cumberbatch has since felt major guilt for the term and release a statement of apology. Check it out after the jump.

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Some viewers of the interview asked, “What year are we in?” Leaving The Imitation Game actor to feel horrible about using the outdated term.

“I’m devastated to have caused offense by using this outmoded terminology. I offer my sincere apologies. I make no excuse for my being an idiot and know the damage is done.

I can only hope this incident will highlight the need for correct usage of terminology that is accurate and inoffensive. The most shaming aspect of this for me is that I was talking about racial inequality in the performing arts in the U.K. and the need for rapid improvements in our industry when I used the term.

I feel the complete fool I am and while I am sorry to have offended people and to learn from my mistakes in such a public manner please be assured I have. I apologize again to anyone who I offended for this thoughtless use of inappropriate language about an issue which affects friends of mine and which I care about deeply.”

Tavis, who happens to be black, decided that Cumberbatch didn’t mean any harm with usage of the term. He goes as far as defending the actor on Twitter, claiming, “Those who saw Benedict Cumberbatch on @PBS, know he feels persons of color are underrepresented in #Hollywood.”

Check out the interview for yourself and decipher ‘good’ or ‘bad’.

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