Sherlocks like a
nice girl, Holmes
Lesbian dominatrix ends
the 'is he/isn't he' riddle
Racy ... Lara Pulver stars as Benedict Cumberbatch's love interest
Published: Today at 00:21
SHERLOCK HOLMES is to fall for a LESBIAN DOMINATRIX in the new TV series of the legendary detective.
Sherlock BBC1, JANUARY 1, 8.10pm
SHERLOCK was the runaway success of 2010, pulling in 7.5million viewers and winning two Baftas.
No sooner had its three episode-run ended, fans demanded more of Benedict Cumberbatch's modern-day detective. But with writer Steven Moffat committed to a year's series of Doctor Who, the BBC's hands were tied.
When it returns in January, 18 months will have passed since its last outing – but it has been well worth the wait.
The gripping plot is bang up to date, starting with a case about a "sexually compromised" young female royal, before veering into terrorism and the horrors of war.
Fans who queued for ten hours for a preview screening of episode one, A Scandal In Belgravia, were not let down.
There are more laughs in the first 20 minutes than in a whole run of ITV stand-up series Show Me The Funny and the three new films are smuttier, sexier and full of innuendos.
Aloof Benedict, who makes every woman on-screen (and off) weak at the knees, gets all the best lines as part of Moffat's bid to make him "the sexiest Holmes ever".
There are on-trend gags aplenty, with Sherlock calling off a tail on whip-cracking lesbian dominatrix Irene Adler – in favour of following her on Twitter.
The success of the first series, which Moffat co-created with Mark Gatiss, has allowed more risk-taking with Sherlock, who is even more eccentric than before.
For Doctor Who fans who have complained that the latest series has not been up to scratch, this Moffat-guided juggernaut could add insult to injury.
A better TV series you are unlikely to see next year and yet again fans will be left wanting more.
The storyline, which will shock traditional fans of the sleuth, will prove that Holmes and his crime-fighting companion John Watson are NOT in a gay relationship.
Rumours were rife during the BBC1 show's first run 18 months ago that Benedict Cumberbatch's Sherlock and John — played by The Office star Martin Freeman — did more than just get to the bottom of complicated mysteries together.
But the arrival of sexy brunette Lara Pulver to play a very modern-day version of traditional Sherlock Holmes nemesis Irene Adler in the first of three new 90-minute films blows that theory out of the water.
Benedict said: "Yes, the last series played on John and Sherlock's relationship quite a few times, with the two men living together and so many people getting it wrong.
"But episode one presents a very definite female presence and she is more than a match for Sherlock. It's really nice to have a female counterpart.
"Irene Adler is someone who has an incredible amount of power. She is very beautiful, very smart and intelligent, quick-thinking and resourceful. She has lots of attributes that mirror Sherlock and she doesn't suffer fools gladly. The writers are very clear though — this is Sherlock 'and' love, not Sherlock 'in' love.
"But viewers can expect a lot of flirtation!
"In a way, it follows the vein of classical English romances — the oppression of emotion, the idea that it's there but it's not to be spoken of. That's a great thing to play."
Referred to simply as "the woman" by Sherlock, Lara's lesbian version of Irene will appear in A Scandal In Belgravia when the Bafta-winning series returns on New Year's Day. It is based on original Holmes writer Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's short story of the same name.
Series writer Steven Moffat admits he cannot understand why people got so caught up looking for a romantic link between the detective and Watson.
Steven said: "Everyone should have their own interpretation. But if you focus on sex with Sherlock, you have to understand that it, for him, is brainwork. The other part is actually uninteresting to him.
"What is interesting about this relationship with Irene Adler is Sherlock is someone who disdains and avoids sex to get what he wants and Irene Adler is someone who uses it to get what she wants.
"Sex is not that important for either of them. Something far more twisted and attractive is going on than that. It's two appallingly damaged creatures seeing each other in a room and thinking, 'Wow, there is a another of me'."
Spooks star Lara's racy scenes also had an effect on Martin and his stream of smutty banter on set led to him picking up a questionable nickname. Lara said: "Martin is fun... and very dirty. It wasn't sitting on Benedict's lap naked that I had to worry about — it was Martin!"
And Benedict added: "Martin Freeman — Martin Free hands!
"You should hear the things he says to Una Stubbs (who plays flat landlady Mrs Hudson) — they are wicked."
BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH has revealed he has started playing detective in real life – and is using the tricks he's learnt from the series.
Rumours were rife during the BBC1 show's first run 18 months ago that Benedict Cumberbatch's Sherlock and John — played by The Office star Martin Freeman — did more than just get to the bottom of complicated mysteries together.
But the arrival of sexy brunette Lara Pulver to play a very modern-day version of traditional Sherlock Holmes nemesis Irene Adler in the first of three new 90-minute films blows that theory out of the water.
Benedict said: "Yes, the last series played on John and Sherlock's relationship quite a few times, with the two men living together and so many people getting it wrong.
"But episode one presents a very definite female presence and she is more than a match for Sherlock. It's really nice to have a female counterpart.
"Irene Adler is someone who has an incredible amount of power. She is very beautiful, very smart and intelligent, quick-thinking and resourceful. She has lots of attributes that mirror Sherlock and she doesn't suffer fools gladly. The writers are very clear though — this is Sherlock 'and' love, not Sherlock 'in' love.
"But viewers can expect a lot of flirtation!
Sizzler ... Lara Pulver as Irene Adler
WireImage Referred to simply as "the woman" by Sherlock, Lara's lesbian version of Irene will appear in A Scandal In Belgravia when the Bafta-winning series returns on New Year's Day. It is based on original Holmes writer Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's short story of the same name.
Series writer Steven Moffat admits he cannot understand why people got so caught up looking for a romantic link between the detective and Watson.
Win ... Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman with Bafta
Steven said: "Everyone should have their own interpretation. But if you focus on sex with Sherlock, you have to understand that it, for him, is brainwork. The other part is actually uninteresting to him.
"What is interesting about this relationship with Irene Adler is Sherlock is someone who disdains and avoids sex to get what he wants and Irene Adler is someone who uses it to get what she wants.
"Sex is not that important for either of them. Something far more twisted and attractive is going on than that. It's two appallingly damaged creatures seeing each other in a room and thinking, 'Wow, there is a another of me'."
Just friends ... Sherlock and Watson
Spooks star Lara's racy scenes also had an effect on Martin and his stream of smutty banter on set led to him picking up a questionable nickname. Lara said: "Martin is fun... and very dirty. It wasn't sitting on Benedict's lap naked that I had to worry about — it was Martin!"
And Benedict added: "Martin Freeman — Martin Free hands!
"You should hear the things he says to Una Stubbs (who plays flat landlady Mrs Hudson) — they are wicked."
BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH has revealed he has started playing detective in real life – and is using the tricks he's learnt from the series.
The actor – who stars in Steven Speilberg's screen adaptation of War Horse to be released next month – says he looks for clues on people just like his character does.
He said: "Our daily lives are so mundane. We get taken over by what is immediately in front of us and we don't see beyond that.
"We don't observe, as Sherlock keeps on saying, we only see things. And what is so thrilling about him is it all suddenly becomes a potential adventure.
"What I have learnt from playing him is that you see extraordinary depth in the smallest detail. It's joining the dots, that's the fun thing, building a narrative. So I sit on trains and I try to see, 'Is that mud on the bottom of a boot? I wonder where he has been?'
"Or, 'that collar looks a little bit frayed, I wonder whether he is has been travelling for a while or has he forgotten his washing?'
"You do try to piece together personal stories from little bits of information."
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