'Sherlock' exec comments on Jonny Lee Miller 'Elementary' casting

Published Feb 16 2012, 10:25 GMT  |  By Morgan Jeffery

Sherlock producer Sue Vertue has commented on Jonny Lee Miller's casting in CBS pilot Elementary.

The US drama project, which has been described as a modern-day take on Sherlock Holmes set in New York, has been compared to the BBC's contemporary Holmes series Sherlock.

It was recently announced that Miller - who appeared opposite Sherlock's Benedict Cumberbatch in a recent stage production of Frankenstein - will play Arthur Conan Doyle's detective.



Vertue told The Independent: "Jonny is a very fine actor, who I saw recently in the theatre when he and Benedict played alternating roles in Frankenstein.

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

She added: "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."

Last month, Vertue admitted that she found the Elementary pilot "extremely worrying", but CBS has insisted that it is "respectful of all copyright laws".

"Our project is a contemporary take on Sherlock Homes that will be based on Holmes, Watson and other characters in the public domain, as well as original characters," said the network. "We... will not infringe on any stories or works that may still be protected."

Elementary is under consideration for the CBS 2012 fall schedule, while Sherlock airs on PBS in the US.

> Sherlock won't return in 2012, executive Sue Vertue reveals