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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