Murder Rooms: The Dark Beginnings of Sherlock Holmes
Encyclopedia
Murder Rooms: The Dark Beginnings of Sherlock Holmes is a BBC television drama
series originally broadcast in 2000 and 2001. It was inspired by the fact that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
based the character of Sherlock Holmes
on his tutor at the University of Edinburgh
Dr Joseph Bell
, and that Bell did occasionally do forensic work for the Edinburgh
police. It is said that Dr. Bell had similar deductive and observation skills as the famous Sherlock Holmes.
The series exaggerated the similarity between Bell and Holmes for dramatic effect, with Doyle acting as Watson, and included several scenes from the books (the assumption being that these would later inspire Doyle's fiction).
One of the most notable Holmes references is a version of a scene in The Sign of Four in which Holmes deduces that a pocket watch provided by Watson was formerly owned by a drunkard, upon which a furious Watson believes Holmes has callously acquired information about his unfortunate brother for the sake of a cheap trick. The series' version of the scene has Bell deduce the mental state of Doyle's father
, inspiring much the same reaction. (This scene also appeared in the otherwise unrelated drama The Strange Case of Arthur Conan Doyle, also by David Pirie
.)
The 2000 episode starred Ian Richardson
as Dr Bell and Robin Laing as Arthur Doyle, and was filmed in Scotland
and in Cromer
in Norfolk
. Richardson had earlier played Sherlock Holmes
in two 1980s television versions of The Hound of the Baskervilles
and The Sign of Four
.
The original episode was followed by an extended series of four feature-length stories under the same title. Richardson reprised his role as Dr Bell but this time Doyle was played by Charles Edwards
. Produced by the BBC's Films arm rather than the drama division, no second series was commissioned despite critical and audience success. One BBC insider wryly commented that it was "too successful for the wrong department".
Pirie also wrote three episode novelisations: The Patient's Eyes (2001), The Night Calls (2003) and The Dark Water (2004).
BBC television drama
BBC television dramas have been produced and broadcast since even before the public service company had an officially established television broadcasting network in the United Kingdom...
series originally broadcast in 2000 and 2001. It was inspired by the fact that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Arthur Conan Doyle
Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle DL was a Scottish physician and writer, most noted for his stories about the detective Sherlock Holmes, generally considered a milestone in the field of crime fiction, and for the adventures of Professor Challenger...
based the character of Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes is a fictional detective created by Scottish author and physician Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The fantastic London-based "consulting detective", Holmes is famous for his astute logical reasoning, his ability to take almost any disguise, and his use of forensic science skills to solve...
on his tutor at the University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
Dr Joseph Bell
Joseph Bell
Joseph Bell, JP, DL, FRCS was a famous Scottish lecturer at the medical school of the University of Edinburgh in the 19th century. He is perhaps best known as an inspiration for the literary character Sherlock Holmes....
, and that Bell did occasionally do forensic work for the Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
police. It is said that Dr. Bell had similar deductive and observation skills as the famous Sherlock Holmes.
The series exaggerated the similarity between Bell and Holmes for dramatic effect, with Doyle acting as Watson, and included several scenes from the books (the assumption being that these would later inspire Doyle's fiction).
One of the most notable Holmes references is a version of a scene in The Sign of Four in which Holmes deduces that a pocket watch provided by Watson was formerly owned by a drunkard, upon which a furious Watson believes Holmes has callously acquired information about his unfortunate brother for the sake of a cheap trick. The series' version of the scene has Bell deduce the mental state of Doyle's father
Charles Altamont Doyle
Charles Altamont Doyle was a Victorian artist. He was the brother of the artist Richard Doyle, and the son of the artist John Doyle. Although the family was Irish, Doyle was born and raised in England....
, inspiring much the same reaction. (This scene also appeared in the otherwise unrelated drama The Strange Case of Arthur Conan Doyle, also by David Pirie
David Pirie
David Pirie is a screenwriter, film producer, film critic, and novelist.As a screenwriter, Pirie has written numerous mysteries and horror-themed works, mostly for television, including recently the hit ITV series Murderland starring Robbie Coltrane . He was nominated for a BAFTA for his...
.)
The 2000 episode starred Ian Richardson
Ian Richardson
Ian William Richardson CBE was a Scottish actor best known for his portrayal of the Machiavellian Tory politician Francis Urquhart in the BBC's House of Cards trilogy. He was also a leading Shakespearean stage actor....
as Dr Bell and Robin Laing as Arthur Doyle, and was filmed in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
and in Cromer
Cromer
Cromer is a coastal town and civil parish in north Norfolk, England. The local government authority is North Norfolk District Council, whose headquarters is in Holt Road in the town. The town is situated 23 miles north of the county town, Norwich, and is 4 miles east of Sheringham...
in Norfolk
Norfolk
Norfolk is a low-lying county in the East of England. It has borders with Lincolnshire to the west, Cambridgeshire to the west and southwest and Suffolk to the south. Its northern and eastern boundaries are the North Sea coast and to the north-west the county is bordered by The Wash. The county...
. Richardson had earlier played Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes is a fictional detective created by Scottish author and physician Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The fantastic London-based "consulting detective", Holmes is famous for his astute logical reasoning, his ability to take almost any disguise, and his use of forensic science skills to solve...
in two 1980s television versions of The Hound of the Baskervilles
The Hound of the Baskervilles (1983 film)
The Hound of the Baskervilles is a British television film directed by Douglas Hickox and starring Ian Richardson as Sherlock Holmes and Donald Churchill as Dr. John H. Watson...
and The Sign of Four
The Sign of Four (1983 film)
The Sign of Four is a British television film directed by Desmond Davis and starring Ian Richardson and David Healy. The movie is based on Arthur Conan Doyle's second Sherlock Holmes story.-Production:...
.
The original episode was followed by an extended series of four feature-length stories under the same title. Richardson reprised his role as Dr Bell but this time Doyle was played by Charles Edwards
Charles Edwards (English actor)
Charles Edwards is an English actor, the youngest of four brothers in his family He graduated from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 1992. His first professional theatre engagement was in Blithe Spirit at age 24...
. Produced by the BBC's Films arm rather than the drama division, no second series was commissioned despite critical and audience success. One BBC insider wryly commented that it was "too successful for the wrong department".
Pirie also wrote three episode novelisations: The Patient's Eyes (2001), The Night Calls (2003) and The Dark Water (2004).
Plots
- Dr Bell and Mr Doyle - The Dark Beginnings Of Sherlock Holmes: Following the ‘death’ of Sherlock Holmes, Doyle finds himself reflecting on his old friendship with Doctor Joseph Bell, as well as his long-gone romance with fellow student Elspeth Scott, the victim of a killer he and Bell failed to capture.
- Murder Rooms - The Patient's Eyes: Dr. Arthur Conan Doyle and his mentor Dr. Joseph Bell investigate the case of a woman who believes she's being followed by an apparition while bicycling along a lonely road.
- Murder Rooms - The Photographer's Chair: Dr. Arthur Conan Doyle and his mentor Dr. Joseph Bell investigate the strangulation deaths of two persons found floating in the river, Doyle finding himself captivated by spiritualism while Bell’s suspicions lead him to a photographer who believes he saw his wife’s soul leave her body at the moment of death.
- Murder Rooms - The Kingdom Of Bones: A museum curator hires two professors (one being Dr. Joseph Bell) to publicly unwrap an Egyptian mummy, but it proves to be a man's three-week-old corpse, the subsequent investigation uncovering a group of expatriate rebels plotting to create havoc.
- Murder Rooms - The White Knight Stratagem: Dr. Joseph Bell helps the police investigate the murder of a money lender, but old animosity between him and the officer in charge leads to conflict, with matters becoming worse when Doyle sides with the lieutenant’s theories over Bell’s.