Since way, way, way back, I've been a fan of Sherlock Holmes. I've read all the originals stories and novels. I've watched lots of the different movies and the older series based on the characters. I've even read fictional works by others who love these characters and are as fascinated by them even more. (Fred Saberhagen or Carole Nelson Douglas anyone?)
Because of the times we live in, I'm getting to love TWO contemporary and different takes on this old love at the same time.
Guys, say hello to Sherlock and Elementary.
Bennedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman
Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu
If you've not heard of one or the other of these awesome series, make sure you go looking. Sherlock is presented by the BBC through the Masterpiece Theater series (so only 3 movies/episodes a year!), while Elementary is on regular American TV brought to us by CBS.
These two shows are a wonderful example of characters that resonate with multiple generations. We writers know there's nothing new under the sun, but that it has everything to do with how you tell the story, how you make it unique and yours.
Watching the different interpretations by the actors and the episode writers for these modern Sherlock Holmes is too much fun. Even more fun is seeing how all those skills which seemed miraculous back at the turn of the century when Arthur Conan Doyle first presented the characters, can be just as fascinating today.
And despite the fact these two shows hail from different countries, this marvelous age we live in makes them readily available to all, no matter where you live.
Booyahkashaa!
P.S. As I found out while doing a panel on Sherlock Holmes at Fencon last year - Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller (two Sherlocks in two different countries) worked together on a stage version of Frankenstein done as a character study of the monster as well as the doctor. In this rendition, the two actors would switch roles each night taking turns at playing the monster and the doctor. What are the odds of that?
You know what I like so much about reading blogs is how much I learn from them. I've never heard of these shows until now. The same for books. So many neat books are mentioned that otherwise I'd never hear of. Thanks for a great post, Gloria.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Beverly. I definitely can't recommend these two shows enough. Too much fun!
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