The chase is on

MANILA, Philippines - Nothing beats a classic story and a classic character, whether it’s a re-imagined or a remake version. It remains accessible, relevant regardless of time. The feeling of familiarity must be the reason why. Although written more than a century ago by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes is one fine literary masterpiece that people of all ages and diverse backgrounds appreciate across territories and time zones.   

“(But) you have to make it your own,” says Sherlock producer Sue Vertue of the challenges creating a classic story on the small screen during the interview arranged by BBC Worldwide. And there’s a need to get the people “that light the classic story.” Sue is working with writers, who are “huge, huge Sherlock Holmes fans” and will make a good version of the story.

That’s why the crime-solving tandem of Sherlock and sidekick Dr. John Watson (played by Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman, respectively) is set in modern-day London — and not in the 19th Century. Their detective work and journey is armed with technology and forensic science. It will bring them in tapping the lead to break the code and crack some cases. Sherlock, a BBC crime drama, has just entered its third season and airs on AXN Saturday nights at 10.

After two seasons, Sherlock, particularly its stars, has gained a loyal following. That explains televiewers’ strong anticipation of the latest season.

“There’s a big fan presence now when we film in London,” says Sue. “The actors haven’t changed. They are hardworking, brilliant and dedicated as they were in the first series. It’s just now I think they feel they own their parts more.”

Benedict and Martin are also busy doing other projects. Both are part of The Hobbit. “The will is there. It’s just the schedule is a bit tricky sometimes,” says Sue on how to get the lead stars work together on the set. “We make the film when we can get them together at the same time. I think it’s fabulous (that they are doing other things). We’ll just have to find where we can get together again. We also know that they want to come back and do it. Sometimes, you can lose stars and you can lose them to Hollywood and they never come back again. But I think they both know that the show is too good to not keep doing.”

Asked about the trend of re-imagining classic stories on the small and big screens, Sue replies, “The show is always filmed somewhere in the world. Somebody is always filming Sherlock Holmes. When we were making it, we didn’t realize that there was a film being made at the same time. We found out about it a bit later. It seems there’s a room for all, which is a good thing.”

This truth boils down to the fact that Sherlock Holmes story is “so good. Sherlock Holmes (the character) was a modern man then,” says Sue. “It is not a period show. Sherlock was the man of his time. I think that’s it, if you have really, really good stories and you can keep making them.”

Prior to venturing into Sherlock, Sue has done comedy shows such as the iconic show Mr. Bean and Coupling.

“Making good shows excites me,” she says. “It doesn’t matter whether it is comedy or drama. What I don’t like is, (getting) bored. So I think whatever it is that you do, you make sure you don’t bore people. You know most dramas have elements of comedy I think.”

According to some fans, the Sherlock Holmes music adds a different entertainment dimension to the show. Sue says they do “live orchestra recording” for every episode. The “sounds” people “treat the music like another script.” They go through the script and the story to create a perfect-fit music. The musical scoring sounds thematic most of the time.

In the press statement given by AXN, the episode titled The Sign of Three will have Sherlock deliver a best man’s speech at John and Mary’s wedding. He considers it the toughest task he has ever encountered. Before the newlyweds’ first dance happens, Sherlock is challenged to thwart the next killing at the reception. Amanda Abbington, Martin’s real-life partner, portrays the character Mary. She is the latest addition to the cast. 

The third episode His Last Vow, on the other hand, will introduce viewers to “Napoleon of Blackmail,” the new nemesis named Charles Augustus Magnussen (Lars Mikkelsen). Sherlock and John will work hand in hand to fight against the manipulative, powerful businessman who holds “every person of importance in the Western world.”

People behind the show share that Sherlock is also embarking on a journey that will teach him to become a human from being a “high functioning sociopath.” But Sherlock will follow how the detective solves murders and how John saves someone else’s life. So, expect adventures of “murder, mystery and mayhem.”

“They have both,” replies Sue when asked if the characters are made to explore more adventures than the cases. “They do have adventures. They love adventures. I think Sherlock Holmes has the best life and he loves what he is doing. He loves the thrill of the chase.”

And that has begun as shown in the season premiere when Sherlock came back surviving “death” and cheating his “mortality.”