Adaptations Book to Film: Example Six - Sherlock Holmes

Sherlock Holmes

In this blog post, I'm going to just talk about the characters in these adaptations and explaining them and talking about how their compare to Arthur Conan Doyle's original.

The adaptations I am going to be talking about are:

• Elementary (CBS, 2012-2019)

• Sherlock (BBC, 2010-2017)

Elementary

This adaptation is based in New York City and features Sherlock and Joan Watson consulting with the NYPD in the Major Crimes division. 

Running from 2012-2019, the show has many twists and turns, the Moriarty/Adler one the biggest shock of all. This particular adaptation of the character of Sherlock is one of my favourites along with Benedict Cumberbatch's version in BBC's Sherlock.

Sherlock

Jonny Lee Miller portrays Sherlock Holmes in this adaptation, taking our beloved character from Britain to America. I was glad they kept the character British as that would have upset viewers like me. Jonny Lee Miller, who is known for portraying famous Literary characters like Mr Knightley in Jane Austen's Emma (BBC, 2009) and Edmund Bertram in Jane Austen's Mansfield Park (Patricia Rozema, 1999), two of the famous Austen Love Interests. Miller takes Sherlock in a different route. Sherlock is a recovering heroin addict who is assigned a Sober Companion (Watson) to help keep on the right track. He is also a consulting Detective, who is very good at what he does although has some unorthodox methods, including picking locks. Comparing to Doyle's version, he has the same sort of resentment for his father as Sherlock does in the books. Miller became the actor who has portrayed the character of Sherlock the most times after season two - there are now SEVEN seasons. 

John Watson 

In this adaptation of Sherlock Holmes, the character of John Watson has been changed into Dr Joan Watson played by the one and only Lucy Liu. I think three of the major changes from Doyle's character of John Watson is now John is now Joan, Joan is Asian bringing in a cultural aspect, and she is American, all changing from Doyle's white, British, male character of Sherlock's sidekick. Joan is a former surgeon and from the first episode Sherlock's Sober Companion helping him to stay clean. She quickly learns that she needs to help him on the job being a consulting detective alongside him, learning that she has quite the knack for it. She uses her medical knowledge to help her and becomes Sherlock's partner consulting with the NYPD. 

Moriarty and Irene Adler 

In this adaptation, Moriarty and Irene Adler are the same person portrayed by Natalie Dormer. Irene Adler is Sherlock's main love interest who was 'murdered' and this left him heartbroken. He later learns to his disbelief that Irene Adler is really his arch-nemesis, Moriarty. In this adaptation, Jamie Moriarty is the leader of the criminal mastermind group. She keeps a relationship of wits with Sherlock.

Sherlock BBC

This BBC version of Sherlock is one of the most well known.

Created by Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat, we see another modern version of Doyle's story.

Set in modern-day London, Sherlock is a consulting detective for the Metropolitan Police along with his partner, Dr John Watson.

Sherlock Holmes

Portrayed by Benedict Cumberbatch, this version of Sherlock is one of the best (in my opinion and the media).

A consulting detective who is known for his observational skills and being a 'deductionist'. He also refers to himself as a 'HIGH-FUNCTIONING SOCIOPATH'. He also shows signs of Anti-social personality disorder, according to John. He is seen as rude and critical of others, especially John. However, John and Sherlock become the best of friends and it seems like Sherlock is actually capable of having a heart. He is prone to boredom and looks for bizarre and weird cases. He is also manipulative and likes to take advantage of people. Although he is all of these things, he is quite protective of those he cares for, especially his landlady, Mrs Hudson. 

John Watson 

In this adaptation by the BBC, John Watson is a former soldier, wounded in action and is a doctor. He is portrayed by Martin Freeman.

He is extremely loyal to Sherlock and his partner as a consulting detective.

One of my favourite lines of John's to Sherlock:

"I always hear 'punch me in the face' when you're speaking but it's usually in subtext"

Moriarty 

The BBC decided to go all out with this adaptation of the character of Moriarty, Sherlock's arch-nemesis.

Possibly my favourite version of Moriarty portrayed by the one and only Andrew Scott. He brings the seriously sadistic, machiavellian criminal mastermind to life in a way which makes you want to watch him over and over again.