A short series based on the notion of a younger Arthur Conan Doyle solving crimes with Dr. Joseph Bell of Edinburgh, on whom Sherlock Holmes was partly based. They are in effect mystery stories with Holmesian resonances but it stands or falls by how good these actual stories are and I found them to engrossing tales, well constructed and excellently filmed. The episodes look good, the period settings authentic enough and the music and sound first rate.
Ian Richardson is perfect as Dr. Bell, intelligent and wise, and makes a good contrast to Charles Edwards as Doyle, who is on a learning curve as a doctor and a writer. Their obvious affection for one another goes alongside their different temperaments when dealing with the crimes they solve. They are supported by some fine British actors in guest roles including Annette Crosbie, Henry Goodman, Ronald Pickup, Roger Lloyd Pack, Clare Holman, Ian McNeice. Rik Mayall appears in one episode as a detective and is particularly good.
There are Sherlockian references but they are not over emphasised but one picks up details that emerge later in the canonical stories, the Giant Rat of Sumatra, the surname Morstan, the deerstalker hat etc. It's a shame only five episodes were made.
Ian Richardson is perfect as Dr. Bell, intelligent and wise, and makes a good contrast to Charles Edwards as Doyle, who is on a learning curve as a doctor and a writer. Their obvious affection for one another goes alongside their different temperaments when dealing with the crimes they solve. They are supported by some fine British actors in guest roles including Annette Crosbie, Henry Goodman, Ronald Pickup, Roger Lloyd Pack, Clare Holman, Ian McNeice. Rik Mayall appears in one episode as a detective and is particularly good.
There are Sherlockian references but they are not over emphasised but one picks up details that emerge later in the canonical stories, the Giant Rat of Sumatra, the surname Morstan, the deerstalker hat etc. It's a shame only five episodes were made.