Smallscreen News

Investigating ‘Sherlock’ on BBC

By Ian Cullen Jul 6, 2010, 15:54 GMT

A little over 18 months ago, the BBC announced plans for what was to be a one off 90 minute drama called ‘Sherlock.’

'Sherlock', written by 'Doctor Who' producer Steven Moffat and scribe Mark Gatiss, has undergone a few developments since then and is now a three-episode short series to air on BBC One.

The series of television movies are described as "thrilling, funny and a fast-take" on the classic characters, and crime drama.  The contemporary retelling of the iconic character created by Arthur Conan Doyle will star Benedict Cumberbatch in the title role and Martin Freeman (The Office, Hot Fuzz) as his loyal friend, Doctor John Watson.  Rounding out the cast is Rupert Graves (God On Trial, Midnight Man) as Inspector Lestrade.

‘Sherlock’, which began shooting in March, is directed by Paul McGuigan (Lucky Number Slevin, Gangster No 1, The Acid House) and Euros Lyn (Doctor Who, Torchwood).

Speaking recently, ‘Sherlock’ co-writer Steven Moffat revealed that he didn’t know an exact date for when the series of movies will air, but did say that they’re hoping to air them in August.

The details from Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories remain. The two principal characters of Holmes and Watson still live at 221B Bakers Street, and somewhere out there, Moriarty is waiting for them.

Piers Wenger, Head Of Drama at BBC Wales, describes this version of Holmes as, “a dynamic superhero in a modern world, an arrogant, genius sleuth driven by a desire to prove himself cleverer than the perpetrator and the police, everyone in fact."

Steven Moffat says: "Everything that matters about Holmes and Watson is the same.
"Conan Doyle's stories were never about frock coats and gas light; they're about brilliant detection, dreadful villains and blood-curdling crimes – and frankly, to hell with the crinoline. Other detectives have cases, Sherlock Holmes has adventures, and that's what matters." Moffat added, "Mark and I have been talking about this project for years, on long train rides to Cardiff for Doctor Who. Quite honestly, we'd still be talking about it if Sue Vertue of Hartswood Films (conveniently also my wife) hadn't sat us down for lunch and got us to work."

Mark Gatiss adds: "The fact that Steven, myself and millions of others are still addicted to Conan Doyle's brilliant stories is testament to their indestructibility. They're as vital, lurid, thrilling and wonderful as they ever were.  It's a dream come true to be making a new TV series and in Benedict and Mark we have the perfect Holmes and Watson for our time."

Sue Vertue says: "Steven and Mark are such huge fans of the Sherlock Holmes stories that I had a feeling they would just go on and on talking about it, so I picked the Criterion for our lunch as I knew of its iconic significance in the meeting of Sherlock and Watson and thought it might get the boys' attention! It did, and what has evolved from that meeting is hugely exciting."

Sherlock is produced by Hartswood Films, who continue their fruitful relationship with the BBC. Past productions include 'Coupling,' 'Men Behaving Badly,' 'Jekyll' and, most recently, 'The Cup' for BBC Two.

Monsters and Critics' contributing writer Ian Cullen is a former actor and community artist, and a lifetime fan of Science Fiction  and television. He runs www.scifipulse.net  - a site, which follows the trends of science fiction television and movies.  He lives in Manchester, England.