Hi there! I’m back and celebrating Sherlock Holmes Day! I’ve dug out some interesting facts about Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes, but first things first: A TREAT FOR YOU!
Use code ‘sherlockholmesday’ when you book any of the experiences at Sherlock: The Official Live Game on Fri 20th May – Sun 22nd May for 10% off.
Right, now onto the bit you’ve all been waiting for – the fun facts portion of this blog post…
1. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle never actually specified Sherlock wore a deerstalker hat – the iconic image we associate him with is all thanks to the illustrator, Sidney Paget. The cloest Sherlock Holmes has been described as wearing a deerstalker hat by Arthur Conan Doyle was when he was described as wearing an ‘ear-flapped travelling cap.’ Don’t worry, this doesn’t mean the merch store will stop selling the stylish headgear.
2. Remember the absurdly fancy mansion owned by Charles Augustus Magnussen? It’s called Appledore and is actually owned by Sir David McMurtry, who doesn’t even live there!
3.Benedict Cumberbatch did his own stunts on the show, including the infamous fall off the St Barts roof.
4.In Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s ‘A Scandal in Bohemia’, Sherlock reveals that there are 17 steps in 221B Baker Street. To honor this detail, the BBC Sherlock adaptation also has 17 steps in 221B Baker Street.
5.Sherlocks parents were played by Benedict Cumberbatch’s real life parents, Wanda Ventham and Timothy Carlton.
6.Speedy’s Café was originally going to be called ‘Mrs Hudson’s Snax & Sandwiches’. The real sandwich shop sells Sherlock and Watson themed sandwiches.
7.Sherlock Holmes was originally going to be called Sherrinford, he later changed the name to Sherlock likely due to a cricketer who shared the name.
8.Andrew Scott originally auditioned for Moriarty in a British accent, but it was decided the role worked better with his natural Irish accent.
9. Sherlock Holmes has never actually said ‘Elementary, my dear Watson’ in the original Conan Doyle series.
10.Since Baker Street has too much Sherlock signage, it couldn’t be used in the filming of the show, instead the BBC filmed 1 mile East over on North Gower Street.
Which of these facts was your favourite?