Elementary Casting Raises Vertue’s Eyebrows

Benedict Cumberbatch & Jonny Lee Mille

Sue Vertue has become even more suspicious that American network CBS’ take on a ‘modern day Sherlock Holmes‘, called Elementary, may infringe on the BBC copyrights for Sherlock after Jonny Lee Miller was cast in the lead role as Sherlock Holmes himself.

Miller and BBC ‘Holmes’ Benedict Cumberbatch shared the role of Dr. Frankenstein’s Monster in the National Theatre’s production of Frankenstein, even splitting an Best Actor award between them for the roles.

Vertue said that she still has her eye on the American Sherlock Holmes programme and will be ready if the script strays too close to the popular BBC show:

“Let’s hope their pilot script has stayed further away from our Sherlock than their casting choice.

We have been in touch with CBS and informed them that we will be looking at their finished pilot very closely for any infringement of our rights.”

However this incident does not effect her opinion of Miller as an actor:

“Johnny is a very fine actor, who I saw recently in the theatre when he and Benedict played alternating roles in Frankenstein.”

(Via The Independent)