“Sherlock” series 2 to premiere January 1st (in the UK)

UK-based fans of the BBC’s clever Sherlock Holmes update will be delighted to learn that the long-awaited fourth episode is due to screen on January 1st, 2012. North American audiences will officially have to wait until May.

The acclaimed series, starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freeman as Dr. John Watson, has already featured several exciting fight scenes. In the second and third episodes, Sherlock handily defeated an anomalous scimitar wielding assassin, more-or-less held his own against a succession of Chinese assassins, and committed the tactical error of attempting to box with a seven foot tall Czech assassin.

Given that the third episode of the new series is entitled The Reichenbach Fall, the safe money says it will end with some form of confrontation between Sherlock and his arch-nemesis, Jim Moriarty …

The BBC’s new “Sherlock”

A heads-up and thumbs-up for the BBC’s new series updating Sherlock Holmes for the 21st century.

According to the official website:

Co-created by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, Sherlock stars Benedict Cumberbatch as the new Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freeman as his loyal friend, Doctor John Watson. Rupert Graves plays Inspector Lestrade.

The iconic details from Conan Doyle’s original books remain – they live at the same address of 221b Baker Street, have the same names and, somewhere out there, Moriarty is waiting for them.

Steven Moffat says: “Conan Doyle’s stories were never about frock coats and gas light; they’re about brilliant detection, dreadful villains and blood-curdling crimes – and frankly, to hell with the crinoline. Other detectives have cases, Sherlock Holmes has adventures, and that’s what matters.”

The first three ninety-minute episodes of what seems certain to become a long-running series screened in the UK over the past three weeks and are available online in various formats. The series is recommended especially for its deft conjuring of a slightly fantastical but recognisable modern London. Episodes two and three, The Blind Banker and The Great Game, feature some exciting fight scenes. No word yet on the origins or nature of the contemporary Holmes’ baritsu skills …