With his remarkable observation skills and a fascinating knack for deduction, Sherlock Holmes is arguably everyone's favourite detective. Ever since the books by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle came out, there have been multiple adaptations featuring the fictional detective in films, plays, television series and so on. But Elementary, starring Jonny Lee Miller as Sherlock and Lucy Liu as Watson, is a rather interesting take on the detective and his stories. After six successful seasons, the series comes to a finale in its seventh season. We chat up the creator and executive producer Robert Doherty about making this Sherlock stand out from the rest of the adaptations, casting a female Watson, and the culmination of the series in its final season.
- What was your take on casting Watson as a woman? How do you think it affected the show?
I knew there would be certain expectations, but I was always more excited by the premise of a brilliant man and woman living and working together and not falling in love. I thought that brand of relationship would be more unique, and ultimately more special when the series finally came to a close.
- What makes Elementary’s Sherlock stand out from his other counterparts in various television shows?
I’d say his heroin addiction was distinctive. But I also think the energy that Jonny brought to the role was important. He was all sharp edges in the beginning. I think a lot of our Sherlock’s counterparts were more accessible, more relatable and therefore (at least to me) less interesting.
- What is your take on the character of Sherlock, what about him fascinates/strikes you the most as an executive producer of the series?
I was always fascinated by the possibility that the gifts of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes could be as painful as they were productive, the idea that it hurts to see, smell, hear, and detect all the things that others can’t. Our Sherlock was always in some measure of pain, he was just an expert at hiding it.
- With a character that is so well known, how difficult is it to create a whole mystery shown around him that is not too predictive and keeps audiences hooked?
Very difficult! But that’s also what makes it fun. And I had the good fortune of working with some truly brilliant writers over the years. That helps too.
- What kind of research goes into writing the episodes?
For every episode, the writer is responsible for the bulk of the research. But s/he often gets help. In addition to some amazing police consultants that helped us stay true to the procedures of the NYPD (New York Police Department) over the years, we also had a slew of ordinary people who were kind enough to accept cold-calls from our office and let us pick their brains about their various careers or specialties. Doctors, lawyers, nurses, mathematicians, rehab specialists, funeral directors, I could go on and on.
- What is your take on how the show and all the characters developed through the seasons?
In the beginning, each character was broken in some way. At the end, I’m grateful that we had the time to set them on their various paths and leave them in better shape than we found them.
- What are your current and future projects?
Right now, I’m taking a little time to catch my breath. But I’m looking forward to finding the next right project.
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