I started getting interested in his work a little after TRF aired, but here's the kicker. That's not the first time I saw him on a screen.
I was over at a friend's house when her parents were watching Atonement about 7 months before Sherlock S2, and a scene with his character was on.
Me: ...That guy looks creepy and weird. He needs to shave.
BFF: I dunno, he's kinda cute.
When I realized they were the same actor after finishing Sherlock, I texted my friend to tell her, and we both cracked up.

You tell an idiot in your classroom that he's lowering the IQ of the entire campus.
And when you buy the Sherlock Holmesz books both on kindle and hardback.

My name's Katie, I live in Hawai'i, and I've been in the fandom since The Reichenbach Fall aired, pretty much. My tumblr is seeherwheniwake. Nice to meet you all! =D