Sherlock's creator solves a real case—and doubts his own Watson.
In 1906, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, having lost his first wife, was overcome with grief; even Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson refused his call. It was only when his secretary, Woodie, presented him with an apparent real-life miscarriage of justice, that he could be roused to action. The case in question was that of George Edalji, a Parsee solicitor, who was imprisoned for writing obscene letters and killing livestock in Great Wyrley, Staffordshire. George needed Arthur's help to clear his name. However, as the twists and turns of the case unfold, Arthur himself questions George's innocence. It is only by finding the true culprit, that Arthur can finally put the case, and his grief, to rest; whilst simultaneously becoming influential in a major reform to the English judicial system.
Acting
Martin Clunes simmers with widower's rage and ego.
Writing
Doyle's self-mythologizing cracks open beautifully.
Production
Staffordshire bleakness feels genuinely oppressive.
Director
Stuart Orme
Martin Clunes
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Charles Edwards
Woodie
Arsher Ali
George
Art Malik
Rev Shapurji Edalji
Hattie Morahan
Jean Leckie
Emma Fielding
Charlotte Edalji
Alan McKenna
Inspector Campbell
Conleth Hill
Sergeant Upton
Pearl Chanda
Maud Edalji
Matthew Marsh
Chief Constable Anson
Timothy Watson
Ernest 'Willie' Hornung
John Hollingworth
Dr. Butter
Ciarán Owens
Harry Bostock
Simon Meacock
Hayden Price
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This case directly led to England's Court of Criminal Appeal in 1907—Doyle's advocacy actually changed law.
The real George Edalji was suspected partly because of his myopia—he literally couldn't see to commit the crimes, a detail Arthur fixated on.
US
