Benedict Cumberbatch has been talking up the experience of filming Star Trek 2.

The Sherlock and Parade's End star praised the franchise's director JJ Abrams, explaining that his investment in the story makes for more rich and sympathetic characters.

"He's a wonderful human being to be around, JJ [Abrams] - on every level, as a dad, as a friend, as a director, as a musician," Cumberbatch told The Huffington Post. "He's a polymath, he's a really talented human being.

"And he has time for everyone and it's all done with a really genuine interest in the story. So for all the bangs for your buck that you're gonna get with the film - which there are going to be aplenty - you have an investment.

"You care about what's happening to these characters, so it was really exciting."

Cumberbatch's villainous role is yet to be revealed, although it's been suggested that he will play original series character Gary Mitchell, who attended Starfleet Academy with James Kirk (Chris Pine).

The sequel's title was recently reported to be Star Trek into Darkness, although this has yet to be confirmed.