- Radio Times
- Review by:
- David Butcher
When Sherlock’s first series started, people assumed it would be a hit. But a middling hit, a cult hit, a critical hit. Then this spiky, wordy, super-cerebral crime drama went and got nine million viewers. That’s Downton territory.
The fact that it struck such a chord was down to head writer Steven Moffat’s ability to create pulsating capers that flatter our intelligence. No spoonfeeding here. It’s all laser-tipped dialogue and performances that crackle and hum.
All of that is turned up to 12 in A Scandal in Belgravia, which is arguably the best Sherlock yet. It starts with a glorious gag to unhitch the cliffhanger from the last series, then whisks into a plot about Irene Adler, a society dominatrix who finds emotional bondage with our hero.
The cast are all superb, not least Lara Pulver as “the Woman”, and the narrative finds room for nudity at Buckingham Palace, a ghostly jumbo jet and any number of neat little puzzles and twists. The game is very definitely afoot.
About this programme
1/3. New series. Holmes and Watson investigate a case of blackmail threatening to topple the monarchy and uncover links with international terrorism, rogue CIA agents and a conspiracy at the heart of government. However, the Baker Street sleuth finds himself involved on a more personal level when he becomes locked in a battle of wits with Irene Adler, a woman who is as cold, ruthless and brilliant as himself. Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman return in the award-winning drama, with Lara Pulver (Spooks) and Mark Gatiss (The League of Gentlemen).
Cast and crew
Cast
- Sherlock Holmes
- Benedict Cumberbatch
- Dr John Watson
- Martin Freeman
- Mrs Hudson
- Una Stubbs
- DI Lestrade
- Rupert Graves
- Mycroft Holmes
- Mark Gatiss
- Jim Moriarty
- Andrew Scott
- Molly Hooper
- Louise Brealey
- Irene Adler
- Lara Pulver
Crew
- Director
- Paul McGuigan
- Executive Producer
- Mark Gatiss
- Executive Producer
- Steven Moffat
- Producer
- Sue Vertue
- Writer
- Steven Moffat
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