BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH may be an Emmy-winning actor and Oscar nominee, but he’s about to take on his most challenging — yet rewarding — role to date: father.

    The “Sherlock” star’s rep confirmed in a statement to People on Saturday that he and his wife, Sophie Hunter, have welcomed their first child. “Benedict Cumberbatch and Sophie Hunter are delighted to announce the arrival of their beautiful son,” said the rep. “We would kindly ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy during these next few precious weeks.”

    Cumberbatch kept his relationship with Hunter, an actress and theater director who appeared in the 2004 film “Vanity Fair,” rather hush-hush until they announced their engagement last November in London’s The Times. Two months later, it was revealed that the couple — who reportedly met in 2009 while filming “Burlesque Fairytales” — was also expecting. Cumberbatch, 38, and Hunter, 37, wed on Valentine’s Day on the Isle of Wight in England, and spent their honeymoon in Bora Bora.

    Although “The Imitation Game” actor is rather private when it comes to his personal life, he did tell Elle last year he would like to be “surrounded by family” 30 years from now.

    “I can imagine I’ll look back at this point in my life and think: ‘Wow, that was really extraordinary,’” he said. “But at the same time I hope I’m looking back and going, ‘Oh, that was the moment I got on with life and realized things beyond myself.’ ... I hope I’ve got other people to look back with me at that point. I hope I’m surrounded by family.”

    It looks like Cumberbatch is right on track.(SD-Agencies)