Sherlock: Trailer, certificate and where to watch
The game's afoot as Benedict Cumberbatch breathes new life into Arthur Conan Doyle's detective
Year: 2010-2017
Certificate: 12
The Sherlock Holmes stories by Arthur Conan Doyle are updated for the 21st century by writers Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss. Sherlock is a consulting detective, a 'high-functioning sociopath', who helps out when Scotland Yard gets stuck on a case. He has extremely poor people skills, but is loyal to his friend Dr John Watson, who has recently returned from military service in Afghanistan. The first episode, A Study In Pink, is loosely based on the first Sherlock Holmes story, A Study In Scarlet, and places its characters in a thoroughly modern setting while not losing sight of their Victorian origins.
Benedict Cumberbatch plays the title role of Sherlock with a winning combination of arrogance, emotional detachment and a killer wardrobe. Martin Freeman is his Watson, co-creator Mark Gatiss is Sherlock's brother, Mycroft, Una Stubbs is the men's landlady, Mrs Hudson, Rupert Graves is Inspector Lestrade and Andrew Scott is Sherlock's nemesis, Moriarty. Look out, too, for Cumberbatch's actor parents, Wanda Ventham and Timothy Carlton as Sherlock's mum and dad.
Both Freeman and Scott won BAFTAs, while Freeman and Cumberbatch won Emmy awards for their thrilling performances. The episodes are 90 minutes long, making each feel more like a movie than a TV whodunnit, while Gatiss and Moffat stayed true to Conan Doyle's stories to keep the writer's fans happy. Plus, the mysteries are shot through with humour. And did you know that Benedict Cumberbatch is distantly related to Arthur Conan Doyle, although their connection dates back to the 14th century? John of Gaunt, the third surviving son of Edward III, is their common ancestor, and they are 16th cousins, twice removed.
There are four series of three episodes each, plus a special episode called The Abominable Bride - set during Victorian times - that sits between series three and four. (Four series)
