
TV SERIES · 2010–2017 · UK
Sherlock
- Created by
- Mark Gatiss, Steven Moffat
- Network
- BBC One
- Seasons
- 4
- Episodes
- 12
- Studio
- Hartswood Films, BBC Cymru Wales, Masterpiece
32 archived facts 5 topics 1 source Last reviewed Sep 2026
A modern update finds the famous sleuth and his doctor partner solving crime in 21st century London.
Summary: TMDB
12 Facts From Behind the Scenes of Sherlock
- #014
Filming of the Sherlock pilot episode, written by Steven Moffat and directed by Coky Giedroyc, began in January 2009.
- #015
The first set of three Sherlock episodes entered production in January 2010, with Paul McGuigan directing the first and third episodes and Euros Lyn directing the second; the three episodes were filmed in reverse order of their broadcast.
- #018
Filming Sherlock in Cardiff was less expensive than filming in London, and Cardiff offered some good matches for parts of London; because some architecture could not be faked, location shooting in London was still necessary.
- #019
Location shots for 221B Baker Street in Sherlock were filmed at 187 North Gower Street, since Baker Street itself was impractical due to heavy traffic and the many things labelled "Sherlock Holmes" that would have needed disguising.
- #021
Ray Holman, a BAFTA Cymru award-winning costume designer, created the costumes for the Sherlock pilot.
- #022
Benedict Cumberbatch wore a Belstaff coat costing £1,000 in Sherlock.
- #023
Sherlock costume designer Sarah Arthur said she gave Holmes a look of classic suits with a modern twist, including narrow-leg trousers, a two-button slim-cut jacket, slim-cut shirts and a sweeping coat for action scenes.
- #027
Director Paul McGuigan proposed displaying text messages on screen rather than using cut-away shots of a hand holding a phone.
- #029
Following the positive audience and critical response to the first series of Sherlock, the cast and production team were more confident while making the second series.
- #030
David Arnold and Michael Price composed the theme and incidental music for Sherlock. Arnold said that he and Price worked with the producers to devise a central theme and character for the series, and then determined what would become the show's defining sound.
- #031
According to Arnold, pieces for Sherlock were often built with synthesisers, but the tracks used in the show were recorded with real musicians so the music would be brought to life.
- #032
Price said that musicians performing a score for Sherlock can adapt their performance in response to footage from the show.
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Sources & editorial notes
Reference databases
Sources for the entries on this page
- Wikipedia Sherlock (TV series) — Wikipedia
Information from external sources is independently selected, consolidated and edited by Arka Evren. Sources are listed for verification and further reading. Encyclopedia text is used under its licence (CC BY-SA). How we work

