Benedict Cumberbatch and Sophie Hunter announced their engagement the old-fashioned way, of course

After a very quiet romance, Benedict Cumberbatch and Sophie Hunter announced their engagement in a fairly public way: In the births, deaths and marriages section of U.K. newspaper The Times!

The succinct passage read…

The engagement is announced between Benedict, son of Wanda and Timothy Cumberbatch of London, and Sophie, daughter of Katherine Hunter of Edinburgh and Charles Hunter of London.

The Sherlock actor’s representative later confirmed the news to People: “I am delighted to confirm this morning’s announcement that Benedict Cumberbatch and Sophie Hunter are engaged.”

Benedict, 38, and Sophie, 36, reportedly met while filming Burlesque Fairytales in 2009. Most Bendy-watchers believe they began dating earlier this year — even though neither confirmed the romance and they’ve only been spotted together a handful of times. (She is seen below in 2011 with designer Max Osterweis.)

In addition to her occasional acting roles, Sophie is an Oxford-educated theater director. She received the Samuel Beckett Award in 2007 for writing and directing The Terrific Electric.

There is no word on a wedding date. Benedict currently stars in The Imitation Game with Keira Knightley.