Sherlock (2010– )

A modern update finds the famous sleuth and his doctor partner solving crime in 21st century London.

Creators:

Mark Gatiss, Steven Moffat

Stars:

Benedict Cumberbatch, Martin Freeman, Una Stubbs

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 30 wins & 47 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Benedict Cumberbatch	...	Sherlock Holmes (10 episodes, 2010-2013)
Martin Freeman	...	Dr. John Watson (10 episodes, 2010-2013)
Una Stubbs	...	Mrs. Hudson (7 episodes, 2010-2012)
Rupert Graves	...	DI Lestrade (6 episodes, 2010-2012)
Louise Brealey	...	Molly Hooper (6 episodes, 2010-2012)

Storyline

In this modernized version of the Conan Doyle characters, using his detective plots, Sherlock Holmes lives in early 21st century London and acts more cocky towards Scotland Yard's detective inspector Lestrade because he's actually less confident. Doctor Watson is now a fairly young veteran of the Afghan war, less adoring and more active.

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Plot Keywords:

sherlock holmes | modernized setting | mysterious villain | based on short story | murder | 

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Taglines:

The world's favourite detective has emerged from the fog...this is Sherlock for a new generation.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

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Details

Official Sites:

BBC [uk]

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Also Known As:

Sherlock - Eine Legende kehrt zurück!

Filming Locations:

North Gower Street, London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hartswood Films, BBC Wales, Masterpiece Theatre

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Benedict Cumberbatch was cast after Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss watched his performance in Atonement. They thought he looked like a perfect Holmes.

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Quotes

Dr. John Watson: [Inside Buckingham Palace] I'm seriously fighting an impulse to steal an ashtray.
[Sherlock laughs]
Dr. John Watson: What are we doing here, Sherlock? No, seriously, what?
Sherlock Holmes: I don't know.
Dr. John Watson: Here to see the queen?
[Mycroft walks in]
Sherlock Holmes: Oh, Apparently yes.
[John and Sherlock snicker]
Mycroft Holmes: Just once can you two behave like grown-ups?
Dr. John Watson: We solve crimes. I blog about it and he forgets his pants. I wouldn't hold out too much hope.
[...]

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Connections

Referenced in Mark Lawson Talks to...: Mark Gatiss (2012)

User Reviews

Sounds like a bad idea, right? Think again. The more things change...

As a die-hard fan of the source material, I have tracked down and went through nearly every radio, television, film, and comic book interpretation of Sherlock Holmes - which run a mean gamut regarding quality, as you probably already know - and so I approached this incarnation skeptical but sanguine. Doubtful it would match the eminent Jeremy Brett series in quality, but hopeful it might preserve Conan's tone - something I think that series did well and the Downey Jr. movie did not.

To my surprise, and delight, this show just so happens to be the bomb-diggity. Let me explain.

Ever notice how lots of Agatha Christie fans complain when screenwriters change Poirot and Marple stories? I'm not one of them. I like new and different interpretations of those stories because otherwise, in the case of literary characters brought on screen, what's the point? What's the point if we film and re-film the same story, the same story which we've already read once, twice, maybe three times? Especially in many cases, what's the point when it's been done so perfectly before? In the case of Sherlock Holmes, The Hound of the Baskervilles has been filmed at least 24 times according to Wikipedia. So another iteration won't thrill me. However, one that takes liberties with the source material, i.e. bringing the characters into the 21st century, I'm all for it. Surprise me. That's what I say.

And there are two things I really love about this series. 1) For longtime fans there are many, many "Easter eggs" to discover in each episode. And, best of all, 2) My boyfriend loves this series. And I can't pay him to watch a Jeremy Brett episode. He did enjoy the Downey Jr. movie (as did I, I just prefer a less swashbuckling Holmes - one reason among many that I didn't love the film), but he's never excited to watch Sherlock anything. This series is different. He loves it. For any Sherlock fan that would like to get their significant others on the band wagon, this is a great gateway. (And my boyfriend's actually a very good barometer for high-quality mainstream television shows. Usually, if something's firing on all cylinders, he knows it. More risky fare - he's off-put.)

And, you may rightly ask, why should I give a crap what my boyfriend likes? Good question. I happen to be of the mind that TV and film can accomplish what my favorite art form - literature - cannot. The TV and film experience can be enjoyed by a group. Sure, book clubs discuss books, but with TV and film you and whomever you want to hang out with, experience story at the exact same time, in real time, and you can easily observe each other's initial, unguarded reactions. Plain and simple, it's fun to enjoy the mediums with others - to laugh together, to be scared, sad, thrilled, etc. It enhances the experience. I think literature's strength is the opposite. For me, the best thing about settling into a good book is that I'm alone. Just me and the test, together making up a story.

Well, if anybody has read this far, I apologize for the rant. But if you're on the fence about buying the DVD or renting it or whatever, take a chance. Take a tip from me. You'll be pleasantly surprised. The more things change, the more they stay the same.