Poor Benedict Cumberbatch had a crazy schedule during the awards season. He kept having to fly back and forth to LA for several months, all while trying to film the Sherlock Christmas special. He just had to film one episode – they aren’t going to film the new “series” (three episodes) until next year, probably. But in December, we’re going to get some kind of Sherlock special, and as we saw from the set photos, it looks like the special episode is going to be VERY true to the original Arthur Conan Doyle canon. As in, it’s set in Victorian England. Some of the super-fans were trying to figure out how this could happen within the current Sherlock world, but Steven Moffat appeared at SXSW yesterday and he made it sound like it’s simply a one-off, with no connection to the normal Sherlock series:
For the eagerly anticipated Sherlock special episode, Holmes and Watson are essentially going back in time. Co-creator Steven Moffat has now confirmed the special will take place in Victorian London, validating fan assumptions about the episode. Last month the show’s stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman were spotted filming Sherlock in 19th century clothes, causing fans to wonder if perhaps the crime-fighting duo attended a costume ball, or perhaps it was just some kind of dream sequence within the special. But no: The 90-minute episode literally takes place more than 100 years ago.
“The special is its own thing,” Moffat told EW before attending a panel at the South by Southwest conference on Monday. “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. So we had this to do it – as we could hardly conceal – it’s Victorian. [Co-creator Mark Gatiss] and me, 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.”
The special is pretty much finished, Moffat added, and he’s very pleased with the result. No air date is set by Sherlock networks BBC and PBS Masterpiece, but the special is widely expected to air in the UK around December.
I feel like this is an interesting hint at the story: “We wouldn’t have done the story we’re doing, and the way we’re doing it, if we didn’t have this special.” I feel like that means the original story would have been too difficult for a modern adaptation. But they’ve already done The Hound of Baskerville, The Reichenbach Fall/The Final Problem, and they’ve done A Scandal in Bohemia/Belgravia. Those are some of the most iconic stories from Doyle’s canon. I wonder what they’ve adapted for this special… hmm….
Meanwhile, Benedict was seen jogging in Cotswolds a few days ago, looking like an ‘80s reject. GO HERE to see the photos. I kind of love that Benedict wears dated ‘80s fleece jackets. I feel like his mum probably gave it to him.
Photos courtesy of WENN, Fame/Flynet.
The 80s are offended, they had nothing to do with that fleece and want a retraction. 🙂
I don’t blame them. That was painful.
Dear Sophie
As the better dressed one, please for the love of god BURN his wardrobe.
Thanks
The Internet
meh. just something to be warm for running.. it was fine.
and sophie has already singed his soul. she should leave his clothes alone.
It was fine when I wore it. But I was a four year old girl at the time
YAAAAASSSS! Martin with the moustache can get it!
I’m really excited for the Christmas special. I hope it’s The Adventure of The Illustrious Client, that’s my favorite ACD story.
Sounds good!
Isn’t this Victorian thing going against the show’s basic premise?
I had that fleece when I was four.
Why are his jogging pants billowing like that on his right side? So much fabric.
Looks like the whole outfit was worn when he was a teen and two inches SHORTER.
I agree. I like Sherlock because it’s modern; I’m not too keen on Victorian Sherlock. It looks like a Doctor Who XMas special. Why, oh why can’t Moffat leave well alone???????????
Also, no curls and no Belstaff. By the time they shoot S4, BC will be an old man (he’s aged 5 years in six months or so….). Sad.
ps He looks better in these pics because he’s wearing TV makeup. And in the jogging pics he looks knackered and way too thin.
Yeah, I’m not enthused about this. I love Sherlock for its modern setting. If I want Victorian I’ll go with Brett or Wilder’s great Private Life of Sherlock Holmes.
Martin Freeman is now the main reason i will be watching Sherlock – love him, he is such an great actor and he needs to do more serious role. Did anyone see him in The Eichmann show? He was great – you should all watch it, if not for Martin’s performance then the heart breaking story they tell. Some of real footage of the trial they showed had me tears.
My guess for the Sherlock xmas special story is: “The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle”, it also at xmas time.
Good call. That would be a fun one.
Apropos of nothing, he looks younger (and happy) in those hat pix.
That’s how I read it too. Also, I’ve never noticed it before (because I try not to look at him) but he’s got some truly amazing eyebrows that look like they might get even better with age. I can’t wait.
Oh please, he requires fashion police tape and investigation all the time.
ETA: are you still watching Saul?
YASSS! I was thinking of you last night, itwassosogood. Poor Mike…
Also, um did you just “oh, please me”?
Television makeup.
Eyebrow wiglets a la Elton John.
I think of them as growing caterpillars which will turn into butterflies and gracefully sail into an effortless prairie of wildflowers.
Hm while your prose is lovely per usual, Im not sure the earth is ready for an eyebrow-less Otter.😱
Also, I’ve been spamming kiddo@….ch with expiring and encrypted emails. Lol
Yes, and I am sick of your little blue pill ads. Stop it!
(Uf) Widerluege!
UH OH. Someome’s not talking to me again. I’ll leave you with a little story: I found a (big) blue pill in our new house and googled, sure enough it’s a Viagra. I totally want to crush it up and slip it to my bf before he leaves for his bee keeping convention. Is that mean??
He will be very excited about bees. There’s a proboscis joke in there somewhere.
ETA: A few years ago in an old apartment, I found weed in a baggie in a food pantry.
Kiddo’s butterfly eyebrow story demonstrates the power of Comet Sophie.
Bar shit crazy. All of you.
Bar shit crazy sounds good, I’ll have a gin and tonic.
Only Comet Sophies served here.
Where the hell is Colin and the drinks?!
@Mtnrunner, Colin doesn’t serve drinks on the BC threads. He sees that the beverage vending machines are well stocked and it is serve yourself from those. BC threads just got too dangerous for him.
I’m keeping a flask with me next time.
He does! I thought it was an old picture of him at first.
not much enamored with sherlock – always found it to be a tad overrated and the disaster that was the last series pooped on any hope of changing that.
this xmas special looks like novelty and annoying.
Yes. The first and second seasons were very good, but the third season was a turd. No amount of eye-rolling could express my contempt for the blatant and embarrassing fan-wank in the wedding episode.
I’m however looking forward to Sir Ian McKellen’s movie of Sherlock Holmes in his old age. 😀
Saw the trailer for that the other day and was very intrigued.
@lilacflowers
Yes! It is so wonderful that Sir Ian is still headlining a movie. I have some doubts about the director Bill Condon but am hoping the film will get a good reception.
Maggie Smith is also heading a movie about a lady who lived in a van in Camden for over 15 years. And Lily Tomlin has snagged a leading role in “Grandma” which opened in Sundance to pretty good reviews.
All these veterans kicking ass and showing the younger lessers how it’s done. 😀
I try to avoid the Sherlock fandom as much as possible, so what was really going on in the wedding episode? All the fan references must have gone over my head.
That Maggie Smith one sounds interesting. Isn’t Lily reuniting with Jane Fonda on a project? Fonda’s brief appearances on The NewsRoom were like watching an acting master class, particularly any scenes with Sam Waterston.
Third season turned me off big time. Moffet and Gatiss need to get back to the good stuff they were doing in the first two seasons or they’ll lose me.
I’m not sure how I feel about the Christmas special. I thought the point of this series was setting it in modern day.
@InvaderTak
That episode had Sherlock planning John Watson and Mary’s wedding, with Sherlock folding swan napkins, fretting over seating arrangements, threatening Mary’s ex-boyfriends, getting into drunken fights at clubs, playing Indian Poker with John while inebriated and eventually puking over some carpet. It was Conan Doyle meets Groomsmanzilla meets Pinterest Wedding Planning Board meets neurotic Carrie Bradshaw meets boozy Lindsay Lohan. It sounds fabulous in a train-wreck kinda way but was actually cringeworthy and unfunny, and the crime story was insipid too.
@lilacflowers
I googled and apparently Tomlin and Jane Fonda are slated to star in a Netflix comedy, although I have not followed this news.
I’ve found Sherlock to be monumentally inconsistent, not only from episode to episode, but even within a single show. There are brilliant moments and the next instant it’s utter rubbish. I’ve been re-watching some of the episodes I had saved on my DVR and it turns out I really only enjoy about 25% (or less) of each show, the rest I fast-forward through to get to the next bit that’s worth watching more than once.
And I’d like to take this opportunity to re-voice my opinion that if there is a 3rd brother in the show at some point, it absolutely should NOT be you-know-who. Just no.
Agree Darya. I hate the nepotism of that show. Let’s hope that if Gatiss tries to work him into the show, Lord D has the sense to turn it down.
Oh, I think the Victorian stuff looks pretty cool with possibly some nods to untold but referenced canon stories. Should be fun!
He’s going to look like he’s had work done when he gains weight back 🙂
Was this supposed to be a surprise?
@Felice
This was kind of a “meh” surprise for me. I’ve been catching up on the threads. I’m actually surprised VL719 did another post. Think this is a sign that the “psychics” are gonna start coming back?
True to Conan Doyle with this crew? I’ll believe it when I see it. Which, of course, I will, as I’m a Baker Street Irregular from way back.
He looks better in these pictures (and the running ones) – more rested.
As for the running getup – it’s … not the nicest outfit, but meh. He’s a dorky guy (not meant to be insulting) who, because of said dorkiness, is more likely than not going to wear dorky clothes in his downtime.
after the absolute clusterf**k Series 3 was, I won’t bother with the “special”
Excited about this but I am party crashing this daily Cumberpost with a plaintive and heartfelt plea– it is St Patricks Day! Are we not entitled a “hot Irish actors preferably shirtless” post??
I still don’t understand all the complaining about the third Series. I am not on Tumblr and I have no interaction with the Sherlock “fandom” or whatever, and I enjoyed it. I feel like some people just can’t enjoy a show if it doesn’t go the way they want it to.
Hey, I liked it, too.no single episode reached the heights of ASIP or ASIB, but I still enjoyed it. And it gave us scruffy Shezza.
I liked series 3 too. I don’t get why they are going Victorian with the special. I thought the whole point of show was to modernize Holmes.
nope. i just dont enjoy a show when it’s shit.
Oh this is cute. They’re trying to stay relevant as a couple. There’s some new photos from January with the two of them and BC’s parents. Idk why they are finally publishing 2 month old photos when I thought newlywed photos would cost more.
Very odd, the one picture where they’re snuggling – he appears to be looking straight at the cameraman, rather than her. I saw them on a couple of blogs. Are they originally in one of the tabs?
Lol. Yes.
He wants to be sure the paps get good PDA shoots.
Thirsty Lizard in action…
Depends? Apologizing in advance for this long answer!
Married couple photos usually have more value. So, things with them before they were married may have been held back if the paps suspected they were getting married before the Oscars (common belief). But if there’s too many pap pics out there at one time, your price can go down, especially if there’s nothing special about what you took. So then you hold until the market thins back out.
And there is a point where I wonder sometimes, that no one is upset…
As far as I know newspapers and magazines earn money from selling copies, maybe a little public funding and most important selling ads. These ads are paid for by the company which is running them und they add the cost for that to the prices of goods and services. So in the end it is all paid by all the customers (reading by all of us). So all this famew***ing (e.g. buying pictures as mentioned above…) has to be paid for by us. I have no problem when people buy whatever magazine und pay for it how much they want to. It’s their choice what they are interested in and spend their money on. But I don’t see why the not interested public has to pay for it (even if you ignore the magazine itself). I love to spend money on tickets and if it was a really good film I spend money on the DVD, but I don’t want to support this (in the mean time extreme level of) famew***ing. I don’t give a sh*t where they have been eating what and with whom. He should just do his job (which is in my opinion acting) but don’t bother us with the rest of this clusterf*ck just to push his ego and thereby make us pay for it. And of course this is not just about him, he is just a recent example.
Sorry for such a long posting…
Well, if you’re buying a ticket to something or a DVD, question, you’re paying the actors for their performance, that’s it.
I know and that’s fine. I choose what I want so see and pay the artists for their appreciated work. Maybe I didn’t make it clear. I mean that indirectly (magazine -> ads -> marketing expense -> product price) always every customer is (unwillingly) paying the bill for famew***ing. Others also pointed in a similar direction by mentioning click baiting. But maybe it’s just my point of view…
This is very strange. We went an entire day without any new pics or word of where he was and today two month old pap pics show up. She has on 3 different coats in the pictures so they must be from 3 different days. We’re supposed to believe some random photog just happens to hang out in the Cotswolds for 3 days? Then waited 2 months to sell or release them? Who is playing who?
Just last week I wondered why they were never papped around London doing day to day things, and here we go – pics! It may be the Cotswolds, but, so what. And with the ‘rents!!! I’m trying to figure out what to ask for next.
“I’m trying to figure out what to ask for next”
————————–
That they’ll go away? But that doesn’t seem like an option apparently. I’ll grab a leaving card for his dignity on my way home tonight. We can all sign it..
@alice Yes, let’s think about what to ask for next. In the meantime, he’s been spotted in London – apparently – always without SH (rugby, restaurant, theatre). So it may be that these pictures are out just to reinforce the idea they are so much in love. So much in fact that he looks at the pap while kissing his wife. What next?
man, this is ridiculous. my aunt and two cousins moved to the uk five years ago and live in the cotswolds. paps do NOT just hang around there. how much more of this bull do we have to endure by the way? anyone?
The one thing I want answered is why are they selling this so hard? She’s knocked up and they got married last month, so why do they care what anybody thinks anymore? Why are they calling paps to a family visit? What are they hiding? What is really going on? Why are these pics being strategically released? What is the goal? What is there to gain? The more pap pics that are released, the more questions I have. I don’t buy that BC just suddenly wanted to be a famewhore. There’s more to it than that. It feels like something is hiding in plain sight (or within sight of the paps).
All good questions. I wish I had answers. I don’t know. Another possibility is he was always like this and simply played up his child-like side to appeal to a certain demographic, and this was the plan to transition him. Maybe that plan had to be sped up and fasttracked because he got his gf of a month pregnant. Maybe.
If he could put on a full-on persona for a decade, he could sell anything flawlessly, Claire. Just sayin’.
My guess is bad people around him, it happens. It doesn’t matter what the reality is if people you pay and depend on are telling you something else. *shrugs*
I’m not a denier but in some of those photos she doesn’t look pregnant and the photo of him looking directly into the camera ……so fake it’s sad. When is this going to end?
They were from January and late last year so not as far along. I hope he’s okay after this ends.
Yeah I noticed he’s looking at the cameras before anyone said anything and then everyone else noticed too, and I felt very pleased with myself LOL. Also in that one photo I don’t think he’s kissing her on the mouth? Or else we’d have never seen his actual lips. Someone compared it to Ben Affleck and Jlo, where he was always looking at cameras when he kissed her.
Someone made Y’alls some Comet Sophie’s over at BuzzFeed It’s Been A Doosy So The Fandom Drinks Are On Us… http://www.buzzfeed.com/dramamama/its-been-a-doosy-so-the-fandom-drinks-are-on-us-19xhj If this gets through.
They totally forgot to mention the Fizzy Hiddles and the Pervy Tombanger.
http://www.buzzfeed.com/post?id=3727999 MtnRunner added them for you
Have to Go back and add ’em. I did the Dragonfly Martini for Tom but he can have two or three! LOL It seems to be his speciality… I thought the Comet Sophie with a twist was a neat idea. That Viniq is supposed to be weird stuff. I’ve heard either it’s great or it sucks. No inbetween. Also not too expensive but looks like it costs a lot of money. Real flashy at a party. Someone said it’s like having a really great “experience” then you have to swallow it. The Viniq, that is. Someone else said it tastes like cough sizuryp. Then again some people like it.
Quick question: UK marriage records are public. Has anyone found theirs?
Well, BC is a guy who never throws anything away. You just never know when you might need that old joggin stuff. If Nike sees these pics and feels sorry for him they may set him up with some new workout gear, gratis of course.