Tom Baker’s Sir Sherlock returns in Holmes’ most… cinematic outing yet
Tom Baker will return for another adventure as the aging Sherlock Holmes in the audio series from AUK Studios. Sir Sherlock: The Parting Shot once again co-stars his former Doctor Who co-star John Leeson. The K9 actor returns as Sir Sherlock’s unshakable companion, Dr. Watson.
Gary Hopkins provides the script for The Parting Shot, having written the series’ first story, The Red Letter Day. Notably, Hopkins previously dramatised four classic stories for the Granada TV series starring Jeremy Brett and Edward Hardwicke,
But this time, the roaring 1920s push our Victorian heroes into new territory – a film set!
Sir Sherlock: The Parting Shot is now live on Kickstarter, where fans can pre-order the project here. Chinbeard Books are also publishing an official novelisation, available to pre-order in paperback and hardback. Author Kenton Hall has adapted the novelisation from Gary Hopkins’ original script.
The response to the first two Sir Sherlock stories has already changed plans for The Parting Shot to be the finale
The Parting Shot is not just a cinematic pun. It’s also a reference to the original plan for the final Sir Sherlock release to end with this release. However, AUK Studios now say that the response from fans has been so incredible that production plans have changed.
As Gary Hopkins explains: “The Parting Shot was originally the third of only three audio plays planned for the run, until it became apparent that the series could continue for a little longer. It therefore represents an ending and a beginning for Sherlock Holmes, in a story featuring some faces both old and new.”
Sherlock Holmes’ creator Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was never shy of bringing the latest in crime-solving technology into his stories. “It therefore made sense, as the Great Detective was now at work in the 1920s, that Holmes and Watson should find themselves investigating a crime linked to the fledgling film industry!” continues Hopkins, who calls the juxtaposition of Holmes’ Victorian origins with slightly more modern technology “part of the fun.
“Although Conan Doyle lived long enough to see in the age of the ‘talkies’, he never actually incorporated moving pictures into his Holmes stories, but I dare say he’d have got there eventually.”
Fellow Doctor Who star Sophie Aldred joins Tom Baker and John Leeson for the new adventure
Another Doctor Who star joining the iconic duo of Tom Baker MBE and John Leeson in Sir Sherlock: The Parting Shot is Sophie Aldred as the grand and ice-cool Lady Vanadia Vallance. Famous for her role as the Doctor’s companion Ace, her link to Baker and Leeson “didn’t go unmissed!”
Sophie Aldred says: “When I was asked to join such an illustrious cast in such a soon-to-be classic series, I couldn’t believe my luck. Such fun, such a lovely part and such a talented group of actors. What could be better?!”
Cast regulars Katy Ashworth and Nicholas Rowe (Young Sherlock Holmes, Mr Holmes) return as Emily Lestrade and Norton, respectively, with the late Norman Eshley appearing posthumously as Lord Lestrade. Wink Taylor (Ivor Novello, Alfred Hitchock) and Conrad Westmaas (Freddie Valance) round out the cast. Meanwhile, even producer/director Barnaby Eaton-Jones moonlights in a voice role.
“There’s a cinematic flavour to this new adventure, in setting and in denouement,” says Eaton-Jones. “It’s fun to hear a very young Alfred Hitchcock and a very young Ivor Novello (both played by Wink Taylor) sparring with each other.”
Sir Sherlock: The Parting Shot
Now that Sir Sherlock and Doctor Watson have returned to 221B Baker Street, there has been renewed interest in their stories by the most modern of entertainments: the motion picture.
Whilst visiting the set of a film, Watson witnesses what appears to be a tragic accident.
>Holmes, Watson, Norton and Sergeant Emily Lestrade are drawn into the world of the movies to discover that show business is, indeed, like no business they know.
Should they keep the culprit from the gallows? What does the case have to do with a villain from their past? And who will still be standing when the credits roll?
