After giving Sherlock Holmes a contemporary make-over, BBC One will bring back the legendary literary detective in the Christmas special of "Sherlock" this year.
The special holiday episode titled "Sherlock: The Abominable Bride," which is scheduled for airing on Jan. 1, will feature Sherlock Holmes (Benedict Cumberbatch) and his trusted friend Dr. Watson (Martin Freeman) as they solve a case during the Victorian era.
Series screenwriter Steven Moffat revealed that taking Sherlock back to his original era based on the novels of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was very challenging.
"What we were doing all the time was saying Sherlock Holmes does work, even though he's got an iPhone. Basically the question was, how can Sherlock Holmes work in the world where he has an iPhone?" the series scriptwriter told The Sydney Morning Herald.
Moffat added: "Back into its original setting reveals all the things that we changed ... you suddenly think, hang on, the women in the Sherlock Holmes stories basically don't talk. Mrs. Hudson doesn't speak. We've got a bunch of characters who according to Doyle tradition shouldn't speak at all, which is not what we've done."
Cumberbatch and Freeman also shared their opinions on the Christmas special in an interview with Telegraph.
According to Cumberbatch, the best thing about going back to his character's Victorian roots is that he can finally cut his hair short to fit the fashion sense of the gentlemen during the era. "I thought, at last I can have a f------ haircut. We could get rid of that ridiculous bouncy lot of curls on my head," the lead actor stated.
Meanwhile, Freeman said: "I guess the difference is that Victorian Watson's got more patience."
BBC One will air the 90-minute "Sherlock" Christmas special on Jan. 1.
