‘Sherlock’ Goes BTS in the Victorian Era for ‘Abominable Bride’ Featurette

At long last, Sherlock will once again return to all our TV screens in just a few days time, albeit looking a bit different than we’re used to. Now, cast and crew take us inside The Abominable Bride with a new featurette detailing how Benedict Cumberbatch’s modern Sherlock transported itself back to Victorian times.

“Now we’re doing one that’s in the authentic setting - It affects everything. Thereafter it’s hugely different,” says creator Steven Moffat of the new special. “We had to remake our 221B set. We instantly had the problem of period settings, whereas before we just turned the camera on and pointed it at London. We can’t do that anymore.”

Sue Vertue too speaks to the challenge of digitally erasing and altering the London setting, while the actors note the slowness of filming, including lengthy resets between takes, and the narrative hurdles created by less technology.

Premiering January 1, 2016, So reads the official synopsis:

“Dr John Watson, meet Mr Sherlock Holmes.”

We’ve been here before - but what if this wasn’t the modern day but the late Victorian period? What if the world’s most famous consulting detective and his best friend lived in a Baker Street of steam trains, hansom cabs, top hats and frock-coats?
Welcome to ‘Sherlock’ in 1895!

Some things, though, remain reassuringly the same. Friendship, adventure and especially, MURDER…

Why is Thomas Ricoletti a little surprised to see his wife dressed in her old wedding gown? Because, just a few hours before, she took her own life…

Mrs Ricoletti’s ghost now appears to be prowling the streets with an unslakeable thirst for revenge. From fog-shrouded Limehouse to the bowels of a ruined church, Holmes, Watson and their friends must use all their cunning to combat an enemy seemingly from beyond the grave and the final, shocking truth about… the Abominable Bride!

When last we heard, showrunner Steven Moffat had plotted through a potential fifth season of the series, while the fourth was projected to shoot sometime in 2016. Along with the surprise resurrection of Season 3 finale “His Last Vow,” Moffat also specified that Sherlock Season 4 would likely see increased roles for the women of the series, particularly Molly Hooper (Louise Brealey) and Mrs. Hudson (Una Stubbs), potentially adding new female characters into the mix as well, as part of Sherlock’s gradual humanization.

You can check out the latest trailers for the Victorian Sherlock special below, and even see it in theaters, but what else can we expect from The Abominable Bride?