“Sherlock” is an all too familiar name to those who love unlocking mysteries and gripping adventures. And we won’t be surprised if these “Sherlock lovers” from all over Malaysia tuned in to beTV when the series premiered on the 23rd July 2012 (Monday). It has been so extremely well received in the United States that we’re not surprised if they’d soon bag nominations or heck, even accolades at awards shows.
As a matter of fact, just a few days ago, it was officially announced that Sherlock has a few 64th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards nominations in the bag!
We now check in with Martin Freeman (who plays Dr. John Watson) of the TV series to unlock some mysteries of our own – in the form of questions, of course.
Hi Martin! Thanks for taking time to do this considering your busy schedule. How has the response for “Sherlock” been so far?
“It was beyond all of our wildest dreams. We hoped it would be well-received and as popular with viewers as it was with us. We loved making it and are very proud of it, but beyond that it’s out of your control as to how people will view it, so the response was great.”
We’re not sure if you already know this by now but season two of “Sherlock” just aired in Malaysia two nights ago! What can we expect from this season?
“By the end of the first series you saw John and Sherlock’s relationship moving on, John went from being merely ‘agog’ at everything Sherlock did to being just miffed at some of his actions. That takes a step further in the new series and I would say it is definitely a partnership now, with Sherlock being the main thrust, but John is only half a step behind, as opposed to six steps behind.”
John as in “John Watson”, right? Your character? He’s written as a bit of a ladies man. How is he handling Sherlock’s love interest?
“John thinks Sherlock would be much healthier if he had a relationship with a human being as opposed to a theory or something. John in the interim, according to the writers, he’s had a number of girlfriends, so I think he’d like Sherlock to do the same. I think it makes Sherlock more human in John’s eyes.”
What do you think it is that draws people to the relationship between Sherlock and John? Like, what makes the audience love them so much?
“I think people just like seeing friendship. I think people like seeing people who just drive each other up the wall, but at same time, can’t live without each other. You see it in ‘Waiting For Godot’ and ‘Steptoe And Son’, that’s everything, especially involving two blokes who want to kill each other, but ultimately, where else are they going to go?”
Right. So at the end of the day, it’s some sort of a “love-hate relationship”. We get it! Alright last one for the road – tell us what’s your most memorable “Sherlock set” moment.
“I remember the first time I went on set, there was this beautiful slightly shambling, slightly chaotic, but classically designed room, that you can believe is a Victorian room. There are a lot of houses in London that look a bit eccentric, they’re a mish-mash of designs and periods, and it’s completely believable.”
Martin Freeman is also in the running to win the “Outstanding supporting actor in a miniseries or movie” title for the 64th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards.
We wish him all the best!
Catch Martin as Dr. John Watson in Sherlock on beTV (Astro B.yond Channel 720) every Monday at 10:55pm.
