News — bbc sherlock

"Lynnette Porter is the editor of Sherlock Holmes for the 21st Century: Essays on New Adaptations. Here she surveys Cumberbatch’s career as an actor, touching on his extra-curricular life only to the extent that it influences his acting or is influenced by the transition from jobbing actor to star to celebrity. The facts are meticulously (but not tediously) referenced, and the writing is both literate and engaging. Sherlock is the turning-point, but it’s good to be reminded of the extent and importance of the actor’s career, before, during and after the breakthrough to stardom: acclaimed rôles in Rhinoceros and Hedda Gabler at the Royal Court, After the Dance at...

"Written by Lynnette Porter and published by MX Publishing, Benedict Cumberbatch – In Transition: An Unauthorised Performance Biography is no ordinary biography as we know it from most other celebrity biographies. The author focuses almost entirely on the career of Benedict and gives an overview of his projects, backed by numerous quotations and anecdotes. The book begins, after a long introduction, with Benedict’s childhood and his education at Harrow, Manchester and LAMDA, and includes some very nice quotes from his mother, Wanda Ventham. We, as theater fans, are delighted that the chapter on his career in the theatre is especially...

This week sees the launch of a must have book for all BBC Sherlock and Elementary fans. ‘The Immortals’ is a comprehensive episode by episode review of the two series by Holmes expert Matthew Elliott. His unique approach tackles each episode and links back elements to the original stories, reviews plotlines, characters and good and bad points. Matthew Elliott is one of the leading Holmes experts in the UK – regularly publishing articles and speaking at major Holmes events. In fact, he was the host for the 7th November Sherlock Holmes Society of London film evening. So whether you are a fan of...

Last week saw the launch of Eddy Webb’s detailed and brutally honest review of the Sherlock Holmes stories ‘Watson Is Not An Idiot’. Critics have called it a brilliant introduction to the original stories. An early review says: “I am in love with this book. As a Sherlock fan, I didn’t think I would be able to learn more about Doyle’s work. Boy, was I mistaken.Eddy brings you to Doyle’s world and explains the common misconceptions of certain key phrases, Sherlock, and of course, Watson (who is not an idiot).” This week’s new title is very special. ‘Sherlock Holmes and a Quantity of...

"When I was a young teenager, I was utterly besotted with Prince William. What can I say? While my friends were eagerly snapping up magazines featuring N’Sync and the Backstreet Boys, I bought a short and fairly abysmal unauthorised biography of the royal heir. I didn’t care; it was something. Thankfully, Benedict Cumberbatch fans of any age no longer have to face the indignity of wasting money on shoddy prose. Benedict Cumberbatch, In Transition is an exhaustively-annotated and impressively-detailed account of a young actor’s career. Some might ask if now is the time for such a book, releasing arguably nearer the...