Showing posts with label audio. Show all posts
Showing posts with label audio. Show all posts

Friday, 6 February 2026

A Sherlockian 2026

Sorry, I’ve been a little slow off the mark with this. 2026 promises to be a bumper year for Sherlockian content. Please find a list of currently announced productions.

 

Television

'Young Sherlock'

Erroneously announced in last year’s similar post, finally coming to Prime Video on 4th March 2026, an eight-episode drama based on the 'Young Sherlock Holmes' novels by Andy Lane, which were first published in June 2010, directed by Guy Ritchie. Hero Fiennes Tiffin stars as the young Holmes, having previously worked with Ritchie on 'The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare'. The show pitches itself as the origin story of the famous detective. In the reimagining, Holmes is a disgraced young man. He's raw and unfiltered, finding himself embroiled in a case that puts his freedom at risk. It's his first investigation, in which he'll need to unravel a globe-trotting conspiracy that can change his life forever. Click here for the trailer.

 

'Enola Holmes 3' 

This second sequel has Millie Bobby Brown reprising her role as the title character, the teenage sister of the already-famous Sherlock, with Henry Cavill (Sherlock), Louis Partridge (Tewkesbury), Himesh Patel (Dr Watson), Sharon Duncan-Brewster (Moriarty), and Helena Bonham Carter (Eudoria) also reprising their roles. The film sees Enola tackling another mystery, this time on the island nation of Malta where she is flung into a nest of vipers. As the private detective juggles a new case and the next stages of her relationship with Tewkesbury, the game is truly afoot. It is directed by Philip Barantini and written by Jack Thorne, and will be released on Netflix later in the year.

  

‘Watson’

Series 2 begins on Sky Witness on 15th February 2026. This series features Holmes (Robert Carlyle) seemingly returning from the dead, so may have an even more Sherlockian feel.

 

 

 

 

‘Mademoiselle Holmes’

With another series of this already shown in France, and a cliffhanger involving a literal cliff to be resolved, hopefully Channel 4’s ‘Walter Presents’ will give us Series 2 later this year.

 

 

 

 

Audio

‘Sir Sherlock: The Red Letter Day’   (AUK Studios)

A new audio production from Auk Productions - ‘Sir Sherlock’ with Tom Baker MBE as Holmes and John 'K9' Leeson as Watson. Written by Gary Hopkins who wrote 3 Granada episodes, and guest starring YSH himself Nicholas Rowe. They're even doing a novelisation. Click here to support the Kickstarter  (ends 4th March 2026).

 

 

The Fantastic Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Volumes 2-3   (Bleak December Audio)

A Canadian audio drama series starring Anthony D.P. Mann as Sherlock Holmes and Terry Wade as Dr. Watson, reprising their roles from the 2011 film 'Sherlock Holmes and the Shadow Watchers'. The first volume was released in October 2025, with subsequent instalments to be released in January and April 2026. Each volume comprises three stories, all tightly abridged to around twenty minutes each, with Simon Callow appearing as Moriarty. Click here to order all volumes.

 

Becoming Sherlock: The Red Circle/The Irregulars/The Magician   (Storyside/Audible)

From the mind of bestselling author Anthony Horowitz (author of ‘The House of Silk’ and ‘Moriarty’) and American author Sarah J. Naughton, comes a trilogy set in a dystopian London in the near future featuring the world of Sherlock Holmes, like it has never been heard before. Story one is written by Horowitz with additional material from Naughton, the second by Naughton from Horowitz’s original idea, and the third by Naughton alone. At the same time as a passenger plane goes down in central London, Dr. Watson finds a man naked and beaten on the street. The man has no memory of his past but seems to have exceptional skills of deduction. This is the start of a mystery that unravels rapidly with one burning question at its heart: Who is Sherlock Holmes ?  The trilogy is read by Alfed Enoch (who appeared as Private Bainbridge in ‘Sherlock: The Sign of Three’). Now available. Click here for more details and to purchase.

 

 Sherlock & Co   (Goalhanger Podcasts)

This excellent podcast continues with its updated dramatisations of canonical stories and has reached the two-thirds point, with 40 stories already tackled and 20 to go. They’re even doing a live episode as part of ‘The Rest Is Fest’  (tickets to which sold out almost immediately).   Click here to listen to episodes.

 

 

 

 

 

Theatre

Sherlock Holmes  (Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park London)

Running from May-June 2026, Regents Park Open Air Theatre has just announced one of its Summer productions - the concisely titled ‘Sherlock Holmes’. It’s written by Joel Horwood who did the amazing NT adaptation of ‘Ocean at the End of the Lane’ and stars Joshua James (who appeared as Doctor Gorst in both seasons of Andor). More details can be found here.

  

Sherlock Holmes: The Hunt for Moriarty (Blackeyed Theatre - UK Tour)

This Blackeyed Theatre tour continues until May 2026. A rapid dash through multiple canonical tales leading up to the inevitable showdown at the Reichenbach Falls. Click here for my review and here for the tour dates.

 

 

 

Sherlock Holmes & The Sign of Four (Crime & Comedy Theatre Company - UK Tour)

Featuring 1980s Doctor Who alumni, Colin Baker (the Sixth Doctor) and Terry Molloy (Davros) as Holmes and Watson respectively (having previously played these parts on several tours of 'The Hound of the Baskervilles'), this radio play on stage is  currently touring the UK. Click here for the tour dates.

 

 

 

 Events

Brett Con 2  (The Dancehouse, Manchester)

A day-long event run by the team behind the ‘Jeremy Brett Podcast’ on 19/09/2026 full of panels with the Granada series’ cast and crew members, a special episode screening, prop and costume displays, merchandise, and opportunities for autographs and photos. Followed on 20/09/2026 with a coach trip to Leighton Hall, the real life setting for Ridling Thorpe Manor in ‘The Dancing Men’, providing an opportunity to watch one of the best loved episodes from the series, in the location where it was filmed, with the cast and crew who brought it to the screen, and a private tour of the grounds with opportunities for photos with the cast and crew. [SUNDAY NOW SOLD OUT] Click here to book tickets.

Tuesday, 30 December 2025

2025 Awards: Part Two - 'Doctor Who'

TV

10) The Story and the Engine
9) The Robot Revolution
8) The Reality War
7) Lucky Day
6) The Interstellar Song Contest
5) Wish World
4) Lux
3) Joy To The World
2) The War Between The Land and the Sea
1) The Well




BF Audios

15) Alixion
14) Dark Gallifrey: Master!
13) Christmas: It's A Wonderful War & Other Stories
12) Lionesses In Winter
11) Snare
10) Genesis of the Cybermen
9) The Last Days of the Powell Estate
8) Call Me Master: Inner Demons
7) The Cosmos and Mrs. Clarke
6) Bad Terms
5) Vampire Weekend
4) The Return of the Doctor
3) Dare You
2) Classic Doctors, New Monsters: Faithful Friends
1) The Paternoster Gang: Trespassers - Last Stand




Monday, 27 January 2025

A Novel Adaptation - 2024 Update

Previously in this blog, I have pitted the various dramatisations of the four Sherlock Holmes novels – ‘A Study in Scarlet’, ‘The Sign of Four’, ‘The Hound of the Baskervilles’ and ‘The Valley of Fear’ – against each other by medium. Since my original posts (in 2021 and 2022), I have experienced ten more such dramatisations, and so am posting what may become an annual update.

 

‘A STUDY IN SCARLET’

No further full dramatisations, but the first episode of podcast ‘Sherlock & Co’ utilises the first two chapters.

Click here for up-to-date dramatisations list.

 

‘THE SIGN OF FOUR’

Four further dramatisations across three different media (bringing the total to 24). The first (in 2021) was an online dramatisation on Facebook Live by Jonathan Goodwin (Don't Go Into The Cellar Theatre Company), which has since been produced in person around the country.

The second (also in 2021) was ’The Sign of Mary’, an episode of the anime series ‘Moriarty the Patriot’ based on a successful manga, featuring (in the English dub) Theo Devaney and Ryan Colt Levy as Holmes and Watson, and Elsie Lovelock as Mary. The series focuses on the ‘bad guys’ but I enjoyed this take on SIGN.

The next was a new opera from ‘Northern Opera Group’, which was the centrepiece of 2024’s ‘Leeds Opera Festival’, and was written by Lliam Paterson. Click here for my review.

Most recently, ‘Sherlock and Co’ which is a weekly drama podcast, in which a modern-day Holmes and Watson (Harry Attwell & Paul Waggott) podcast their canonical adventures. SIGN was their longest adventure yet (10 parts) and rounded out 2024. Despite going on for over six hours, the pace doesn’t let up, as it rushes to a surprising conclusion.  

 

  

Click here for up-to-date dramatisations list.

 

‘THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES’

Since my original post I have seen five further stage productions of HOUND, and listened to another audio version (bringing the total to 56 versions). The first of these was an open-air production in the Clandon Wood Natural Burial Site presented by British Touring Shakespeare in 2021, and ran my previous favourite outdoors version close, without quite taking the prize. Click here for my review.

The second was an immersive dinner theatre version later in 2021 from Lost Estate, with the unwieldy title ‘The Great Murder Mystery: London’s Secret Sherlock Holmes Experience’. The food and ambience was excellent, but the dramatisation (by Gillian Greer) was just adequate.

The next stage version, a live radio play on stage from the Crime & Comedy Theatre Company, added another name to ‘actors who have played both The Doctor (in ‘Doctor Who’) and Sherlock Holmes’ – Sixth Doctor actor, Colin Baker, with Terry ‘Davros’ Molloy as his Watson. I saw the play in Redhill in 2022, but it has toured regularly since then, with other WHO guest stars appearing with them as selected venues. The adaptation was well-paced and I enjoyed myself.

The fourth stage version was one that I was due to see in person at the Barbican Centre in London in December 2022, a concert with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, featuring a score specially written by Neil Brand, with Mark Gatiss as Holmes and Sanjeev Bhaskar as Watson. However, I was not feeling well on the night, and so had to wait to hear it a few months later on BBC Radio 3, and then more excitingly watch a recording of it on BBC4 the next Christmas. Highly recommended if it is ever repeated (but you may be able to find it online).

The final stage version was a one-man version, again featuring Jonathan Goodwin (DGITC), seen above a Pub in Croydon. It was a good adaptation, but the loud music eminating from the main bar was a little distracting.

In early 2021, Audible followed up a previous very mediocre new adventure for Holmes and Watson, with an audio dramatisation of HOUND, now featuring Colin Salmon and Stephen Fry as our heroes, about which the least said the better. Click here for my review.  

       

Click here for up-to-date dramatisations list.

 

‘THE VALLEY OF FEAR’

No further dramatisations.

Click here for up-to-date dramatisations list.

 

My favourites across each media remain the same as in my previous posts.

Tuesday, 31 December 2024

A Sherlockian 2025

After a year where aside from a few stage plays and the ever-dependable 'Sherlock & Co' there has been a Sherlockian drought, 2025 promises to be a Sherlockian cornucopia. Please see below for my preview of the delights to come.

 

Television

Sherlock & Daughter - Filmed in Ireland, this upcoming mystery series created by Brendan Foley, features Sherlock Holmes (David Thewlis) becoming embroiled in a malevolent conspiracy involving his archenemy Professor Moriarty (Dougray Scott), and ending up joining forces with Amelia Rojas (Blu Hunt), a young Native-American woman whose mother was recently murdered. As they work together to crack the case, Amelia also sets out to prove that the great detective is her long lost father. The series is due to air later this year on the CW Network in the US, whilst Discovery+ will air the series in the UK and Ireland.

Watson - A new US mystery drama series starring Morris Chestnut as the good Doctor, from the creators of 'Elementary', which picks up one year after Sherlock Holmes's apparent death at the hands of his archenemy Moriarty, with Watson resuming his medical practice by opening the "Holmes Clinic" in Pittsburgh to treat patients with strange and unidentifiable medical issues. Soon however, he must face his past when evidence surfaces indicating that Moriarty is still alive. The series will premiere in the US on CBS on 26th January 2025. The show will then move to its regular Sunday night time slot on 16th February 2025.  In the UK, the series will be available via Paramount +.   [Click here for trailer]

Young Sherlock Holmes - A series based on the Andrew Lane books, directed by Guy Ritchie (returning to the world of Holmes) that will be released on Amazon Prime later in 2025. The series follows a 19-year-old Sherlock Holmes who becomes involved in a murder at Oxford and uncovers a conspiracy, and has recently finished filming across the UK, including Cardiff, Monmouth, Bristol, and (unsurpisingly) Oxford.  Playing Holmes is Hero Fiennes Tiffin (Tom Riddle in 'The Goblet of Fire'), with his uncle Joseph Fiennes and Natascha McElhone playing Holmes' parents, Donal Finn as Moriarty, and Max Irons as Mycroft.




Theatre

Sherlock Holmes: A New Adventure - A new stage play written by Rachel Wagstaff and Duncan Abel (who have previously adapted 'The Girl on the Train' and 'The Da Vinci Code' for the stage), and directed by Rob Ashford, that will premiere at Aviva Studios in Manchester in Autumn 2025. The play will then run in the West End and on Broadway.

Sherlock Holmes and the Hunt for Moriarty - A world premiere production from Blackeyed Theatre that will tour the UK starting in September 2025. This adaptation, by the team that has previously adapted 'The Sign of Four' and 'The Valley of Fear' follows Holmes and Watson as they race across Europe to bring Moriarty to justice. 

Sherlock Holmes And The Twelve Days Of Christmas - This Christmas-themed offering had been written by comedians, writers and actors Humphrey Ker and David Reed, who were both members of successful sketch comedy troupe The Penny Dreadfuls. Although not a musical, instead a play with songs, the most exciting news about it is that it features new songs penned by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice (working together for the first time in 13 years). 
(UPDATE) It has now been announced that the show will run at The Rep in Birmingham from Friday 14th November 2025 to Sunday 11th January 2026. Click here for more details.
 

Two other excellent one-man Sherlockian plays also continue to tour the world - Tim Marriott in 'Watson: The Final Problem'  (click here for tour dates) and Nigel Miles-Thomas in 'Sherlock Holmes: The Last Act'  (click here for tour dates).

 

Audio

Sherlock & Co - This amazing podcast continues its journey through the 60 canonical stories with updated modern-day versions of each of them. It also has a growing online fandom to rival that of 'Sherlock' at its height. 

The Jeremy Brett Sherlock Holmes Podcast - Another amazing podcast focusing on the production of the Granada series, and featuring interviews with both cast and crew.   [And they organise excellent events and produce prop replicas as well]




 UPDATED 13/02/2025

Saturday, 30 December 2023

2023 Awards: 2) Doctor Who

 

TV

10)  Doctor Who: 60 Years of Secrets and Scandals

9) Doctor Who @ 60: A Musical Celebration

8) An Adventure in Space and Time (2023 version)

7) Destination: Skaro

6) The Daleks in Colour

5) Talking Doctor Who

4) Wild Blue Yonder

3) The Star Beast

2) The Church on Ruby Road

1) The Giggle

 

 

 

Audios

10) Once and Future: Past Lives

9) Once and Future: The Artist At The End of Time

8) Once and Future: Two’s Company

7) Once and Future: A Genius for War

6) Once and Future: The Union

5) Once and Future: The Martian Invasion of Planetoid 50

4) The Sixth Doctor Adventures: Purity Unleashed

3) The Sixth Doctor Adventures: Purity Unbound

2) Rani Takes on the World: Beyond Bannermen Road

1) The Paternoster Gang: Rogues Gallery

 



Friday, 29 December 2023

2023 Awards: 1) Sherlock Holmes

Theatre

8) The Speckled Band – theSpace at Surgeons Hall, Edinburgh Fringe

7) Sherlock Holmes and the Music Hall Mystery – Queen’s Hall, Cuckfield

6) Sherlock Holmes and the Poisonwood (WIP) – The Other Palace  (MT Fest)

5) The Hound of the Baskervilles (Jonathan Goodwin) – Spread Eagle, Croydon

4) Sherlock Holmes and the Cow in the Spotlight – Milestone Centre, Caversham

3) A Study in Lipstick, Ketchup & Blood – Roman Theatre, St. Albans

2) A Sherlock Carol – Marylebone Theatre

1) Sherlock Holmes: The Last Act -White Lion, Kennington

 


 

TV

A lack of Sherlockian content, until December.

3) Killing Sherlock – Lucy Worsley on the Case of Conan Doyle (BBC2)

2) Inside Classical: The Hound of the Baskervilles  (BBC4)

1) A Ghost Story At Christmas: Lot No 249 (BBC2)


 

 

Audio

5) The Hound of the Baskervilles  (Radio 3)

4) Sherlock & Co  (Goalhanger Podcasts)

3) Moriarty: The Silent Order  (Audible)

2) The Baker Street Four (Audible)

1) Sherlock Holmes: The Complete BBC Collection  (BBC Audio)


 

 

 

Sojourns

15) Sunbridge Park/Knole

14) Kempton/Hampton Court

13) Blenheim Palace

12) Bateman’s

11) Ayr

10) Lake District

9) ‘The Irregulars’ locations

8) Whitby/Middlesbrough

7) Lyme/Manchester

6) Alnwick

5) Peak District

4) ‘Elementary’ London

3) Cambridge

2) Enola Holmes’ London

1) Enola Holmes: Hull Racer

 

Celebrities Met:

Sherlocks – Ian McKellen, Rupert Everett, Derek Jacobi, Paterson Joseph, Julian Glover, Michael Mears, Colin Baker, Chris Barrie, David Mitchell

Watsons – Ryan Colt Levy

Moriartys – Aaron Dismuke

Mycrofts – Stephen Fry, Mark Gatiss

Lestrades – Aidan McArdle, Victor McGuire, Michael Fenton-Stevens

Others – David Nellist (Mike Stamford – SHERLOCK); Ian Hallard (SHERLOCK); Brendan Fletcher (Stink - SHIRLEY HOLMES) Alastair Duncan (Dr Mortimer – GRANADA HOUND); Richard Dempsey (Jack Ferguson – GRANADA SUSS); Malcolm Weaver (Archie - GRANADA REDH); Stefan Kalipha (Wali Dad - CRUCIFER OF BLOOD); Dominic Carter (IRREGULARS); Michael Stevens (STUDY IN TERROR).