In just three extremely short seasons, Sherlock has become a cult TV phenomenon, with the type of fandom that even blockbuster movies would kill for. Not only has it become one of the BBC’s most popular shows, but it has also elevated stars Benedict Cumberbatch (Doctor Strange) and Martin Freeman (The Hobbit) to the Hollywood A-list.
The folks at BBC One has now unveiled another new look at the upcoming Sherlock Christmas special. First shown at the San Diego Comic-Con 2015, this one and a half minute sneak preview of the Victorian-era detective is everything we could have hoped for, and more.
Holmes is smoking a pipe while wearing a deerstalker. Watson is still sporting that glorious mustache, which somehow looks bushier every time we see it. And Mrs. Hudson is asking why the women in Watson’s stories about Sherlock’s cases are just “plot devices.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1Asbi4APb0
The BBC special has had fans scratching their heads since late 2014, when a photo of Cumberbatch and Freeman showed the pair rocking Victorian-era clothing. Executive producer Steven Moffat revealed in March it would be a stand-alone actually set in Victorian times, unlike the modern day reimagining.
This is not exactly what fans are clamoring for, but it is still an interesting take on the world’s most famous fictional detective. The departure from the overarching storyline of the Sherlock series opens up the possibility to try new things and experiment with the show’s formula. Seeing Cumberbatch’s take on Sherlock Holmes in a historical setting could open up the character to new interpersonal developments and allow for altered relationships with the rest of the principle cast. Without a focus or reliance on technology, it will be interesting to see how these interpretations of the characters adapt to the setting.
Shut up everybody, shut up! Don’t move, don’t speak, don’t breathe. A new #Sherlock Special image has landed… pic.twitter.com/ZoCX8P4S9S
— BBC One (@BBCOne) July 8, 2015
Moffat has promised that the fourth season of Sherlock will be a dark series about consequences. While the previous seasons have had plenty of grim moments, the series has always taken care to show lighter, character-building moments. This special could be the last time we see a happy side of Sherlock and John’s lives for the next few years, though whether it will mesh with the rest of the series or ultimately stand apart remains to be seen.[blockquote cite=”Steven Moffat, co-creator, Sherlock” type=”left”]The special is its own thing. We wouldn’t have done the story we’re doing, and the way we’re doing it, if we didn’t have this special. It’s not part of the run of three episodes. So we had this to do it — as we could hardly conceal — it’s Victorian. [Co-creator Mark Gatiss] and me, we wanted to do this, but it had to be a special, it had to be a separate entity on its own. It’s kind of in its own little bubble.[/blockquote]
