‘Elementary’ Star Jonny Lee Miller Defends ‘Sherlock’ Similarity

It happens just about every pilot season that one series winds up being compared to another for their apparent similarities.  Just about every network sci-fi drama somehow gets measured up to be 'The Next 'LOST,'" and 'Smash' drew heavy 'Glee' comparisons at first, though very rarely a new pilot deals with the very same property as an existing show!

So with all the flack modern Sherlock Holmes adaptation 'Elementary' has gotten from the existing 'Sherlock,' what does 'Elementary' lead Jonny Lee Miller have to say?

Having recently finished shooting the pilot for CBS' upcoming detective drama 'Elementary,' a modern-day take on the classic Sherlock Holmes character, series star Jonny Lee Miller is well aware of any apparent similarities to Steven Moffat's similarly-set 'Sherlock,' which just recently debuted its second season for American audiences.  Still, Miller remains confident enough in the uniqueness of their take (including the addition of a female Watson, played by Lucy Liu), saying in an interview with Radio Times:

Yeah, obviously you look at it and say, “Wait a second"...But I feel there’s enough differences there.  I thought I could do something with it; otherwise, there’d be no point.

Miller isn't the only one defending 'Elementary' as a different show from 'Sherlock,' as even 'Sherlock' executive producer (and wife to co-creator Steven Moffat) Sue Vertue has opted to give CBS the benefit of the doubt when it comes to making distinctions between the two.  Speaking with The Independent, Vertue said:

[CBS] approached us a while back about remaking our show. At the time, they made great assurances about their integrity, so we have to assume that their modernized Sherlock Holmes doesn't resemble ours in any way, as that would be extremely worrying.

We are very proud of our show and like any proud parent, will protect the interest and well-being of our offspring.

The series has yet to receive a pickup from CBS, though its fate will certainly be decided either before, or on the day of CBS's Upfront presentation May 17, something Miller believes confidently in.

We're definitely going to check out 'Elementary' in spite of any similarities to 'Sherlock,' but how about you?  Do you think the series could be unique enough to merit each running concurrently?  Deduce your take hypothesis in the comments!