The ultimate 21st century Sherlock? Up to you.


CBS gets more ‘Elementary‘ every day

We’re all aware of CBS’ plan to produce a pilot for a 21st century Sherlock series for possible pick-up by the network beginning in Fall 2012. And everyone knows how I feel about this idea given some earlier comments about NBC’s failed attempt at Prime Suspect. This one, however, just smacks of wrongness in all kinds of ways as it seems more of just a blatant jump on the bandwagon attempt at copying a brilliant idea rather than a simply trying to re-make an original British production.

Ok, I know you can’t copyright an “idea” like this, but it does seem to be getting awfully close in concept. Now to pile on, CBS has announced that Jonny Lee Miller has been cast in the lead as Sherlock, which will be set in New York City. An oddly interesting choice as, if you remember, Miller co-starred with Benedict Cumberbatch (the original 21st century Sherlock) in the National Theatre production of Frankenstein. Both Miller and Cumberbatch were brilliant as they alternated the roles of the Creature and Victor Frankenstein nightly. So much so that they were recently named co-winners of for Best Actor at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards.

Needless to say, the creators of the BBC’s Sherlock are keeping a close eye on the American production as it unfolds. In fact, Sherlock producer, Sue Vertue, recently hinted that CBS producers have been sniffing around her team for casting clues. She told The Independent: “Johnny is a very fine actor, who I saw recently in the theatre when he and Benedict played alternating roles in Frankenstein. Let’s hope their pilot script has stayed further away from our Sherlock than their casting choice.

CBS has insisted, according to the Independent article, that their show will not infringe the copyright of the BBC series, written by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss. The broadcaster said: “Our project is a contemporary take on Sherlock Homes that will be based on Holmes, Watson and other characters in the public domain.”

Even though I will give this a chance as Jonny Lee Miller is a brilliant actor, it sounds like the same show to me. How about you?

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In: Actors/Actresses,Mystery

  •  EXACTLY my thoughts.  Surely the show will be disappointingly watered down due to it being on CBS. It’s hard to imagine a world where they would have a traditional English and dark tone as set by Moffat/Gatiss.  Once Upon a Time and Grimm are headed in the right direction but are still so bland in comparison to fellow US show True Blood.

    I do have respect for Miller.  Have generally enjoyed his work except for that awful Eli Stone.  I still have a fragment of hope that CBS would give him some creative control over his Sherlock interpretation and pair him with a good producer/writer.  I remember hearing the rave reviews for his Frankenstein so I know he still has it in him.

    p.s. Spotted JLM just a week ago on Sunday night’s Keeping up Appearances as the toyboy. 

    p.p.s. Can I be a *bit* of a nerd and slightly disagree with voting for
    Cumberbatch as the dominant 21st century Sherlock…seeing as how we’re
    barely into the second decade.  We’ve got another 88 years to go.

    • Patty

      Carrie, I’m torn about this show, too, now that JLM has been given the lead. He’s an excellent actor.

      BTW, I’m sure that Bill will be posting about it more as we get near June, but the cinema presentations of “Frankenstein” will be repeated this summer, so be sure to check it out (preferably both versions) if you can!

       

  •  EXACTLY my thoughts.  Surely the show will be disappointingly watered down due to it being on CBS. It’s hard to imagine a world where they would have a traditional English and dark tone as set by Moffat/Gatiss.  Once Upon a Time and Grimm are headed in the right direction but are still so bland in comparison to fellow US show True Blood.

    I do have respect for Miller.  Have generally enjoyed his work except for that awful Eli Stone.  I still have a fragment of hope that CBS would give him some creative control over his Sherlock interpretation and pair him with a good producer/writer.  I remember hearing the rave reviews for his Frankenstein so I know he still has it in him.

    p.s. Spotted JLM just a week ago on Sunday night’s Keeping up Appearances as the toyboy. 

    p.p.s. Can I be a *bit* of a nerd and slightly disagree with voting for
    Cumberbatch as the dominant 21st century Sherlock…seeing as how we’re
    barely into the second decade.  We’ve got another 88 years to go.

    • Patty

      Carrie, I’m torn about this show, too, now that JLM has been given the lead. He’s an excellent actor.

      BTW, I’m sure that Bill will be posting about it more as we get near June, but the cinema presentations of “Frankenstein” will be repeated this summer, so be sure to check it out (preferably both versions) if you can!