Sherlock Special To Premiere On New Year's Day

'Sherlock: The Abominable Bride' will premiere on BBC One at 9pm on 1 January, 2016, it has been announced. The special, which was filmed at The Bottle Yard Studios and locations across Bristol, will also be simulcast on the big screen in more than 100 UK cinemas.

The BBC Drama, produced by award-winning independent production company Hartswood Films, based the production of 'Sherlock: The Abominable Bride' at The Bottle Yard Studios and filmed in purpose built sets in the Studios' Tank House 2 space, as well as a variety of period locations across the city of Bristol.

The one-off special places Holmes (Benedict Cumberbatch) and Watson (Martin Freeman) in Victorian England – the era of Arthur Conan Doyle's original Holmes stories – and sees the return of series regulars Rupert Graves, Una Stubbs, Louise Brealey and Amanda Abbingdon.

It is co-written and created by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, and inspired by the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. It is directed by Douglas Mackinnon (Doctor Who, Line of Duty) and produced by Sue Vertue. The executive producers are Beryl Vertue, Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat for Hartswood Films, Bethan Jones for BBC Cymru Wales, and Rebecca Eaton for Masterpiece.

Fiona Francombe, Site Director of The Bottle Yard Studios, said: "Sherlock is British television at its best and we are proud to have played a role in the production of this one-off special and to include the primetime award winning title to our studio credits."

Sue Vertue, Sherlock's Producer, Hartswood Films, added: "The Bottle Yard was a great studio to work in and as we had set this special in Victorian times, the surrounding area was perfect for many of our locations."

Natalie Moore, Bristol Film Office, said: "Sherlock's presence in Bristol always creates a great buzz across the city and we are delighted to have been able offer this high profile production such a rich variety of Victorian settings. This is not the first time Bristol has doubled for London and over the series 17 locations have been used including Arnos Vale Cemetery, Queen Square and King Street, which all look spectacular on screen. The Sherlock special joins another Christmas favourite, the Dr Who Special, in the festive schedule to have been filmed in the city."

www.thebottleyard.com

www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre

(JP/LM)