'Lucy Worsley's Holmes vs. Doyle'

         On December 8, 2024, PBS premiered 'Lucy Worsley's Holmes vs. Doyle', which has received rave reviews from critics. In the series, "British historian Lucy Worsley delves into the complex love-hate relationship between Sherlock Holmes and the man who created him, Arthur Conan Doyle." Read the full review round-up below.

        John Anderson of Wall Street Journal says, "Ms. Worsley -- who has grown more comfortable and conversational as her historical specials have progressed (and is dressing quite fashionably) -- provides many gems of anecdotal information." Adding, "There are certain nuggets of trivia that Sherlock Holmes fans hold dear, either about their favorite sleuth or his author, Arthur Conan Doyle. Holmes never said “Elementary,” not on Doyle’s pages. He never wore a deerstalker cap (a figment of illustrator Sidney Paget). And on the day “The Adventure of the Final Problem” was published, Doyle’s diary entry read, “Killed Holmes.” It was December 1893. Doyle was only 34 years old. The murder was only temporary. And Holmes was the most famous detective in the world—more famous, even, than his creator. Such is the heart of the conflict confronted by the host of “Lucy Worsley’s Holmes vs. Doyle,” a three-part examination of the love-hate relationship between the famous writer and what he calls the “monstrous growth” that became one of the classic characters in all of literature, never mind the detective story. The vintage interview footage featuring Doyle himself is one of the more fascinating aspects of the program, as is Ms. Worsley’s peripatetic journey to link Holmesian detection with modern methods of criminal investigation and prosecution. Sometimes Doyle was prescient; sometimes Holmes made himself a one-man system of justice."

       Anne Brodie of What She Said notes, "Sherlock Holmes fans take note.  Lucy Worsley’s Holmes Vs Doyle airing Sunday night on PBS offers a unique take on the famous detective created by author Arthur Conan Doyle and the relationship between the man and his muse who made him a sensation, even as their relationship soured. Holmes, a master of disguise, intuition and knowledge of human nature first appeared in A Study in Scarlet in 1887, then four novels and 56 short stories.  Holmes is considered one of the greatest fictional detectives, and the Guinness World Records lists him as the most portrayed human literary character in film and  television history. Truth is, Doyle came to hate Holmes, feeling trapped in continuing his story at the expense of his other writing.  But it’s a lot more interesting than that sounds. And what about that violin?"

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