Benedict Cumberbatch’s modern version of Sherlock Holmes is set for a special Victorian make-over.
It’s been confirmed by the show’s co-creator Steven Moffat that Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman, playing Holmes and Watson, will appear in a special episode of Sherlock set in Victorian London .
A teasing image was released by the BBC last year, showing Cumberbatch and Freeman in period costume, sparking mass speculation amongst fans. And last month stars were seen while shooting for Sherlock , wearing 19th century clothes. This created a stir amongst the hardcore of ardent fans. Were the special detectives wearing costumes for a ball? Was it a dream sequence? Nothing was off limits.
But it seems that the truth is rather more straightforward. The special new 90 minute episode is fully set in a Victorian version of London over 100 years ago. And this requires some superficial transition for Cumberbatch and Freeman.
Steven Moffat spoke to Entertainment Weekly at SXSW , confirming the special episode of Sherlock will take place in Victorian London.
“The special is its own thing. We wouldn’t have done the story we’re doing, and the way we’re doing it, if we didn’t have this special. It’s not part of the run of three episodes.”
Moffat went on to describe the collaborative process with co-creator Mark Gatiss and the desire to produce a unique, self-contained period piece in which Cumberbatch could shine.
“We had this to do it – as we could hardly conceal – it’s Victorian. …we wanted to do this, but it had to be a special, it had to be separate entity on its own. It’s kind of in its own little bubble.”
Although the Victorian episode may be in “its own little bubble,” the Benedict Cumberbatch Sherlock franchise is something considerably bigger. Sherlock is now a well decorated production that’s earned numerous awards as well as a hardcore global fanbase of demanding Cumberbatch fans .
Moffat has previously conceded to a degree of pressure with the upcoming series. Speaking to journalists at last year’s Emmy Awards, he hinted at big things for this series.
“We have a plan… we practically reduced our cast to tears by telling them about the plan.”
At SXSW, Moffat revealed that the Victorian episode is now virtually complete, and he’s happy with the result. While no specific date has been set to broadcast the show by Sherlock networks BBC and PBS Masterpiece, Victorian time Cumberbatch and Freeman are expected to hit screens in the UK around December 2015.
[Image – BBC]
