‘Unlocking Sherlock’ to Air in January, Streaming Online Early as a Holiday Treat for Fans

Leading up to the long-awaited third season of super-popular mystery series Sherlock on January 19, PBS has announced that a new behind-the-scenes special, titled Unlocking Sherlock, will premiere the week before the great detective’s return on January 12. This one-hour special explores how co-creators Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss created the hit television sensation and updated the classic Sir Arthur Conan Doyle stories and characters for the modern age.

“As excitement builds for the new season of Sherlock on Masterpiece, we invite viewers to join us as we delve into the writers’ inspiration for the modern-day Sherlock Holmes that has captivated fans nationwide,” said Beth Hoppe, Chief Programming Executive and General Manager of General Audience Programming for PBS. “This special highlights the transformation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s most-portrayed character into a cultural phenomenon.”

Unlocking Sherlock takes viewers on a personal voyage through the versions of Holmes that have served as inspirations for the new series – the original stories, their factual origins, hundreds of film adaptations – to arrive at their thoroughly modern Sherlock. Moffat and Gatiss explain the challenges they encountered adapting the original adventures of the iconic super-sleuth. The special goes behind the scenes on the set of the hit television series, and includes interviews with actors Benedict Cumberbatch, Martin Freeman and Lara Pulver, who talk about the reinvention of their fictional characters. 

Moffat and Gatiss describe the evolution of Dr. Watson, Inspector Lestrade, Mycroft, Jim Moriarty and Irene Adler, as well as Holmes, from Conan Doyle’s original characterizations, through numerous cinematic and televised versions to the contemporary Sherlock.

In short: It sounds awesome.

Also, before any of my fellow die-hard fans ask me: I’ve also had it confirmed that this is brand-new content, and not the Series 1 and 2 Unlocking Sherlock featurettes that were included as DVD special features. So, get excited!

The special will air on PBS stations nationwide beginning January 12, but, as a special holiday treat for fans, Unlocking Sherlock is already available to stream online, in full. So, if you need a break from unwrapping presents, take some time to get a look behind the scenes at this popular drama. You can watch the full film right here. 

(Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go freak out a little bit. It's been a really good week for Sherlock fans!)