Steven Moffat Criticises Elementary

Steven Moffat has criticised CBS‘s Sherlock Holmes adaptation Elementary.

Moffat co-created the BBC One update of Sherlock Holmes, simply titled Sherlock, with Mark Gatiss and the drama stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman. Earlier this year CBS announced it was developing its own updated version of Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle’s famous sleuth set in modern-day New York starring Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu as Dr. Watson. Elementary was one of the shows picked up by CBS last week and Steven Moffat has given his opinion on the drama to The Insider.

“What we did with our Sherlock was just take it from Victorian times into modern day..They’ve got three big changes: it’s Sherlock Holmes in America, it’s Sherlock Holmes updated and it’s Sherlock Holmes with a female Watson. I wonder if he’s Sherlock Holmes in any sense other than he’s called Sherlock Holmes. It’s almost like they should have made Watson a woman but kept the show in Victorian times. Actually … that would actually be quite interesting.” – Steven Moffat speaking to The Insider.

When it was originally announced that CBS were developing Elementary the producers of Sherlock warned they would sue if any of their material ended up in the American drama. The producers also revealed that CBS had approached them about remaking Sherlock for an American audiences but their request was denied.

“It’s a slightly odd situation because CBS approached us to do an adaptation and we declined – then, coincidentally, they announced they were doing an updated version of Sherlock Holmes…..I don’t want it to sound like Mark and I don’t want other people to try this. We welcome it, but don’t damage the brand.” – Steven Moffat speaking to The Insider.

The second series of Sherlock aired on BBC One earlier this year to strong ratings and it was quickly confirmed a third season would follow. Moffat is currently working on the seventh season of BBC One sci-fi series Doctor Who which will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year. The seventh series is currently in production in Cardiff with filming also having taken place in Spain and New York. The seventh series will see the departure of Who regulars Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill and the arrival of new actress Jenna-Louise Coleman.