Fans eagerly anticipate Benedict Cumberbatch's Netflix show Eric

Benedict Cumberbatch has described dressing as a 7ft monster in the new Netflix series Eric as “one of the most ludicrous things I've ever done”.

Anticipation is building before the six-part mini-series, which will stream from Thursday, May 30, and see the British actor play a man looking to find his son and reunite with him.

In the 1980s-set thriller, Cumberbatch plays puppeteer Vincent who becomes alienated from family and friends due to his erratic behaviour and substance abuse.

But after his nine-year-old son Edgar goes missing on his way to school in New York, Vincent becomes convinced he can find him.

To help his search, he dresses up as Eric, a monster Edgar created under the theory that "puppets say the things we can't".

To the horror of his wife Cassie (Gaby Hoffmann), Vincent takes the costume beyond the set of his TV puppet show Good Day Sunshine and onto the streets of New York City.

Producers did not close off areas of Central Park from the public for filming — which led to many heads turning. Cumberbatch said the sight of the Doctor Strange, Sherlock, and Imitation Game actor running in full costume surprised New Yorkers — but that was all part of the fun.

He told the Standard: “Yep it’s me, I’m dressed as a puppet. This will be one of the most wonderfully embarrassing moments of my life.”

“It’s New York,” he added. “They’re like ‘Oh my God… anyway as I was saying.’ It was a momentary distraction.” Did people wonder what Doctor Strange was doing dressed like that? “Yep, there was a bit of that.”

Eric, written by Abi Morgan, known for her work on The Hour and The Split, also stars Ivan Morris Howe as Edgar and McKinley Belcher III as Michael Ledroit.

The series has been well received by critics, with the Standard giving it four stars and praising Cumberbatch’s performance as “totally absorbing”.

Cumberbatch told the BBC: "It was one of the most ludicrous things I've ever done — and I've done a few.

"It was fun though — and painfully funny."

Fans are now hoping that Eric will be worth the wait.

Nathalie May posted on X, formerly Twitter: “Just watched 'Eric' and wow, Benedict Cumberbatch nailed it! 🎭 His portrayal of a broken puppeteer is intense.”

“Thats my sleep-paralysis demon…” another said of a look at the monster.

Alex tweeted: “When ERIC comes out in 6 days…. get your netflix accounts ready :).”