Benedict Cumberbatch, King Richard III are 3rd cousins!

Benedict Cumberbatch is related to King Richard III, claims a DNA test.

According to Professor Kevin Schurer of Leicester University, the 38-year-old 'Sherlock' star, who would be seen playing the Plantagenet king on screen later in 2015, may share a close resemblance with the king, as they are cousins 16 times removed, the Mirror reported.

It is estimated that between one million and 17 million people in the UK are connected, in some way, to Richard, whose remains were discovered buried beneath a council car park in Leicester in 2012.

But Prof Schurer said that Cumberbatch, who will play Richard in the upcoming BBC Two drama series 'The Hollow Crown - King Richard III,' was more closely related as the connection makes them third cousins.

He added that the Queen too possibly would be a third cousin several times removed.

Richard III was killed at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485 during the War of the Roses and buried in a church in Leicester, which was later destroyed, and the site was being used as a car park when a dig led by University of Leicester Archaeological Services discovered his remains there.

Now, Richard is set to be re-buried at Leicester Cathedral in March, for which thousands of people from around the world have applied for tickets in an online ballot.