10 Lesser-Known Facts For ‘Sherlock’ Fans Who Still Miss Baker Street

Remembering The World’s Greatest Detective

BBC's modern take on an age old detective story was blockbuster when it hit the screens. Here are some of the best details from the production of Sherlock that even the most keen and observant fans might have missed while trying to deduce everything about the show.

Benedict Cumberbatch's Parents Played His Parents

If you found an uncanny resemblance between Holmes and his parents in the show, that was probably because they were in fact Benedict Cumberbatch's real life parents. The actors who play Sherlock's very normal, kind parents are Wanda Ventham and Timothy Carlton—Benedict Cumberbatch's actual, real-life parents, who are both professional actors.

Matt Smith (The Doctor) Auditioned for Watson

The Eleventh Doctor was almost set to become Dr. Watson for Sherlock. Before he was the Eleventh Doctor, Matt Smith auditioned for the role of John Watson. Co-creator Steven Moffat loved his "barmy, eccentric" energy but said he was "too much of a Sherlock" himself and didn't have the right "grounding" chemistry with Cumberbatch. Smith was cast in Doctor Who just a week later.

The Show Exists Because of a Train

The idea for a modern Sherlock was born on a train. Creators Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss took regular train rides together to Cardiff while working on Doctor Who. They discovered they both shared a deep love for the original Doyle stories and began outlining their modern-day adaptation during these commutes.

221B Baker Street Isn't on Baker Street

The iconic exterior shots of 221B Baker Street, with the black door and Speedy's Cafe next to it, weren't filmed on the real Baker Street. The real location is now so full of Sherlock Holmes signage and tourist traffic that it's impossible to film there. Instead, the show used 187 North Gower Street, about a mile away, as the exterior.

The Original Pilot Was a 60-Minute "Disaster"

The first version of Sherlock was a 60-minute pilot that was never aired. The BBC, while liking the concept, felt it was "stodgy" and "a bit-too-safe." They took a huge gamble and commissioned a new pilot, reshot as a 90-minute film. This new version, with a more dynamic, cinematic style (including the famous on-screen texts), became the series we know.

Cumberbatch Hated Sherlock's Hair

In a true Sherlock Holmes fashion, Cumberbatch himself did not like the way he looked throughout the show. While Sherlock's mop of dark curls became iconic, Benedict Cumberbatch was not a fan. He has publicly stated that he "hated" the "frizzy, ridiculous" wig he often had to wear, as his natural hair is a lighter, auburn color and less curly.

The Iconic Coat Was an Accident

It was almost as if Doyle himself was directing the fate of the show. Sherlock's famous, high-collared Belstaff coat was a last-minute find by the costume designer. When Benedict Cumberbatch put it on, he famously "popped the collar," and the creators immediately knew that was the look. The coat, which retailed for over £1,000, became so popular that the manufacturer brought it back into production.

Andrew Scott (Moriarty) Auditioned With a British Accent

Andrew Scott, who is Irish, originally performed his entire audition for Jim Moriarty with a "posh English" accent. The creators liked his performance but felt something was missing. They asked him to try it again with his natural Irish accent, and the "psychotic, unpredictable" energy he brought in that take won him the role.

Martin Freeman's "Bad" First Audition

Martin Freeman couldn't have asked for a worse audition for his role as 'Dr. John Watson.' He had his wallet stolen before he reached was in a completely frustrated mood. The show runners thought he had no enthusiasm for the role. However, when his agent secured him a second audition, the chemistry he had with Cumberbatch was off the charts. He was instantly hired to play the part of Watson.

Cumberbatch Was the Only Person Who Auditioned for Sherlock

To play the role of Sherlock Holmes, you need to have an otherworldly quality in you. That's exactly what the creators were looking for in order to bring Sherlock Holmes to life. After seeing Benedict Cumberbatch's performance in the 2007 film Atonement, Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat were so convinced he was the one that they didn't audition anyone else. He was their first and only choice for Sherlock Holmes.