Much buzzed-about actor Benedict Cumberbatch, whose portrayal of code-cracking mathematician Alan Turing just received an Oscar nomination, raised eyebrows last week when he used the word ‘colored’ to refer to his acting peers.

Cumberbatch dropped the controversial term on the Tavis Smiley show on PBS, while discussing diversity in the entertainment industry.

“It’s an even playing field. [These actors] paid their dues for years by just doing beautiful performances,” said the actor, in reference to black British actors and actresses receiving more acclaim in the U.S. than their home country.  I think as far as colored actors go it gets really difficult in the UK.”

He continued: “A lot of my friends have had more opportunities here (in the US) than in the UK and that’s something that needs to change.”

The embarrassed Cumberbatch offered a mea culpa for his choice of words in a statement reported by the Associated Press and numerous media outlets in Britain.

“I’m devastated to have caused offense by using this outmoded terminology,” said the actor. “I offer my sincere apologies. I make no excuse for my being an idiot and know the damage is done.”

Reaction on Twitter was swift, with users taking Cumberbatch to task for his choice of words. “While I’m on board with Cumberbatch’s points here, it really doesn’t help when he uses a term like ‘colored’,” said Shane Thomas. Another user, Ashley, tweeted: “Benedict Cumberbatch used the word ‘colored’ to describe black people in the year 2015, um, are we still using that word?”

Smiley, for his part, believes Cumberbatch is sincere in his apology. “Sometimes words get in the way, but what was abundantly clear to me, and I trust to viewers who saw the conversation, is that Benedict Cumberbatch is in solidarity with persons of color who are still staggeringly underrepresented in the film and entertainment industry,” he said in an e-mailed statement.