Benedict Cumberbatch Interviews Pal Tom Hiddleston – but Taylor Swift Talk Is Off-Limits: 'That Door Is Closed'

Benedict Cumberbatch sat down with Tom Hiddleston for Interview Magazine's October cover hitting stands Oct. 4

Photo: Steven Klein

Benedict Cumberbatch did Tom Hiddleston a favor by avoiding the subject of Taylor Swift in a new interview – but that doesn’t mean the elephant in the room went unaddressed.

The Dr. Strange star interviewed the Loki actor for Interview Magazine’s October cover (hitting stands Oct. 4.), and the longtime friends agreed to skip the personal stuff after briefly addressing all the hubbub surrounding the Hiddleswift breakup.

Cumberbatch broached the subject by lamenting the “presumption that, because your work and your promotion work is very public, your private life should be, too.”

Steven Klein

He continued, “Without getting into a huge debate, I just want to say that I’m not going to ask questions about my friend’s personal life just because there are unsolicited photographs of him and a certain someone, in a relationship or together. I’m not going to get into that. So that door is closed, dear reader.”

Hiddleston appreciated the gesture, saying, “Thank you,” with a chuckle. “You’re welcome. I know you’d do the same for me,” Cumberbatch replied.

Steven Klein

Fortunately for Hiddleswift fans and mourners, the actor did recently confirm to PEOPLE that he and Swift are still friends. “Yes. Yes, we are,” he told PEOPLE with a smile at the Emmy Awards when asked if they were amicable.

The fellow Brits did manage to find other things to talk about, including their biggest fears. “Passing time,” Cumberbatch said, answering his own question.

Steven Klein

“And that is purely from becoming a father, wanting to have a little bit more of it every day, having something outside of me that’s more important than me to focus on,” he continued. “That was a rude awakening, the minute he was born. And every time I hold him, to look at something that new and look at this 40-year-old me in the mirror going, ‘Wow, I really want to be around to see your children.’ ”

Hiddleston had a similar response: “Mine is regret. I fear looking back and wishing I had done things I hadn’t.”

Steven Klein

The actor also spoke with Cumberbatch about returning as Loki in Marvel’s upcoming Thor: Ragnarok. “The best thing about it, honestly, is working with Chris [Hemsworth] again,” Hiddleston admitted.

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“I first met him in Kenneth Branagh’s house in England in 2009. We were mere children, in the very beginning of our acting journeys. We made an instant connection, and it’s been extraordinary to share the ride with him – this mad journey with Marvel.”

Thor: Ragnarok hits theaters Nov. 3, 2017.