Mrs. Hudson next up for Dame Judi Dench?
Ok, I know I went a bit overboard ranting last Fall over the fact that I saw no reason for CBS’ Elementary series after the genius that was the BBC’s Sherlock, starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman. After all, what’s the point of creating another 21st century ‘Sherlock’ when the first was was the definition of brilliance.
British comedy writer Barry Cryer, who also starred in the long-running BBC radio comedy panel series, I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue, is said to be working on yet another version of Arthur Conan Doyle’s fictional detective. The new television adaptation is said to be based on the journals of Sherlock Holmes’ loyal employee, Mrs. Hudson with a working title of A View From The Landing At 221B Baker Street. Even with Cryer and his son, Bob, behind the project, it’s at this point that I should be crying foul and wonder, yet again, out loud why the world needs another Sherlock Holmes adaptation. However, this one may be different.
Cryer, who has written for the likes of Dave Allen, Jack Benny, Rory Bremner, George Burns, Tommy Cooper, Les Dawson, Dick Emery, Kenny Everett, Bruce Forsyth, David Frost, Bob Hope, Frankie Howerd, Richard Pryor, The Two Ronnies and Morecambe and Wise, believes that Dame Judi Dench would be perfect for the role of Mrs. Hudson. Both Cryer’s are adamant that the Bond actress is the perfect person for the job. At this point, most of the world knows that Skyfall is Dench’s final Bond film, bequeathing her role of ‘M’ to Ralph Fiennes. That’s means she has free time, right?
Given that the third set of the Steven Moffat/Mark Gatiss bit of Sherlock brilliance is on the 2013 horizon, I think I’m ok with a Dame Judi Dench/Mrs. Hudson involvement in another take on the world’s most famous consulting detective. According to Cryer, who has completed the script, this is at a very early stage with no hint as to who might be Sherlock. Anyone like to take a shot at who might hold their end up to a Dame Judi Dench, Mrs. Hudson?
