Englishman (Sherlock) in New York

So it was announced yesterday that Jonny Lee Miller would star in the much talked about CBS pilot Elementary. We’ve already had Sue Vertue, producer of BBC’s Sherlock (and wife of Stephen Moffat) say that she is “extremely worried” about another modern take on the famous detective. She’s got a point, it had been a little while since there have been any Sherlock adaptations then 2 come along at once in the shape of Robert Downey Jr.’s Hollywood vehicle then the slick and ultra modern BBC version with Benedict Cumberbatch.

Holmes and Watson the BBC version. 

In some bizarre “circle of showbiz” (as I’m going to call it) Jonny Lee Miller starred along side Benedict Cumberbatch in the National Theatre’s production of Frankenstein, where each night they played alternate roles of Victor and the monster. Again, Sue Vertue has been quoted as saying that Jonny Lee Miller is a “very fine actor” but says “Let’s hope their pilot script has stayed further away from our Sherlock than their casting choice.” I wonder what Benedict thinks of it all.

It seems a bit unfair to lambast a show before anyone has even seen a pilot and I know I will at least watch that. The thing about the BBC version is that it seems such an obvious choice, setting it in modern day London and one I can’t believe hasn’t been done before. He is quintessentially British though so having him as an American (I assume) will be odd. But if you are going to have the world’s most famous detective star in another show, you could be in worst cities than New York. The thing the BBC version has going for it is the lack of fog and horse drawn carriages plus the amazing casting of Benedict and Martin Freeman as Watson. No word on the casting of Watson yet but that will be just as important as Sherlock.

I had reservations about the BBC version. I thought they were just jumping on the band wagon of Guy Ritchie’s film but I couldn’t have been more wrong. I also thought the score was VERY similar (although I’ll happily admit I prefer the BBC version).

Holmes and Watson the Hollywood version. 

There is a place in the world for both RDJ and Benedict’s Sherlocks. RDJ is fantastic as an eccentric Sherlock, a lot more likable and maybe slightly easier to get on with but he still likes to show off. Benedict’s Sherlock is a lot harder to like first off. He takes his time to soften; very much a loner he doesn’t realise it automatically that he actually appreciates having Watson around. But that’s just scratching the surface of each actors’ performance.

They are two quiet different takes on the same character but they complement each other really well. I just don’t know if there’s room for a third Sherlock Holmes in as many years.

Well, there was that The Asylum version...