When the first still for the Sherlock Christmas special was released, we figured that Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman were channeling the classic Holmes and Watson for perhaps a stage play or a murder mystery dinner party. But it turns out the reason is a bit more bonkers, and rather intriguing: Co-creator Steven Moffat has confirmed that the Christmas special will actually be set in Victorian times.
At South by Southwest, Moffat told Entertainment Weekly:
The special is its own thing. We wouldn’t have done the story we’re doing, and the way we’re doing it, if we didn’t have this special. It’s not part of the run of three episodes. So we had this to do it—as we could hardly conceal—it’s Victorian. [Co-creator Mark Gatiss] and me, we wanted to do this, but it had to be a special, it had to be separate entity on its own. It’s kind of in its own little bubble.
So, what prompted the time-jump? Did the BBC decide they’d spent all this money on Doctor Who sets and they might as well get more use out of them? Is it all a hallucination in John’s head? Will Moriarty ask if they miss him while wearing Victorian garb? So many options!
Photo: BBC One/Facebook
