On Monday, 02 April 2001, the British Press Association website, Ananova, published the following story:
Robson and Jerome to play Holmes and Watson
Robson Green and Jerome Flynn are being lined up to play Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson, according to press reports.
The pair will play younger versions of the detective and his assistant in the £6 million ITV series.
It may also star Sean Bean as Moriarty, and Geraldine Somerville as Holmes's girlfriend.
ITV bosses are planning to make changes to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's crime fighters.
Holmes's pipe, deerstalker and tweed cape will be ditched, The Mirror reports.
An insider said: "We'll re-do the series from a 21st century point of view. It will still be set in a backdrop of pimps, prostitutes and opium dens. But it'll be a gritty, sexy look at the 1800s. Sherlock and Watson will be younger and hipper to appeal to today's viewers.
"Sherlock wouldn't have worn his deerstalker at that age. He'll be trendier, more with it. Even the woman in his life has a dark side to her."
There are plans to make 12 hour-long episodes.
The Ananova story was based on the following story in the 02 April 2001 Mirror:
Robson Green and Jerome Flynn are being lined up to star as Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson in a £6million revival of the famed detective series. TV bosses hope the duo who shot to fame in the drama Soldier Soldier will play younger versions of the sleuth and his aide. Although the new drama will be set in the dingy backstreets of19th century London, there are some controversial changes in store for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's legendary crimebusters which will outrage fans. Sherlock's trademark pipe, deerstalker and tweed cape will be binned. And rather than being a confirmed bachelor, the detective will have a girlfriend. ITV bosses are to offer the role of Sherlock's lover to Cracker actress Geraldine Somerville. And they hope Sharpe star Sean Bean will play the investigator's arch enemy Moriarty. An insider said "We'll redo the series from a 21st century point of view. It will still be set in backdrop of pimps, prostitutes and opium dens. But it will be a gritty sexy look at the 1800s. Sherlock and Watson will be younger and hipper to appeal to today's viewers. Sherlock wouldn't have worn his deerstalker at that age. He'll be trendier, more with it. Even the woman in his life has a dark side to her."
Drama boss Andy Harries is in talks with
writers and cast to make 12 hour long episodes. The series will
be shot at Graada's Manchster studios where the Baker Street set
still stands. ITV's original Sherlock Homes series, which ran
for 10 years from 1984, drew audiences of 14 million. Sherlock
was then played by Jeremy Brett, loved for his brooding portrayal
of Holmes. He died of a heart attack in 1995. Many other actors
have tackled the role including Holloywood legend Basil Rathbone.
Update: 03 April 2001
One of the Robson Green websites has this further information:
"ITV have told us that Granada are producing this series for the international market and not ITV. They have also confirmed that Robson will not be involved with the show."