Sherlock Holmes (1968 TV series)

Sherlock Holmes (1968) is a British television series that aired on the BBC, consisting of six episodes adapting classic Sherlock Holmes stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The series starred Peter Cushing as Sherlock Holmes and Nigel Stock as Doctor Watson.

The series aimed for a faithful adaptation of the source material, utilizing detailed sets and costumes to recreate the Victorian era. Cushing's portrayal of Holmes was highly regarded for its intellectual intensity and adherence to Doyle's characterization, although some found his performance somewhat aloof. Stock's Watson provided a solid, reliable counterpoint to Holmes's brilliance.

The six episodes adapted were: "The Abbey Grange," "The Study in Scarlet," "The Valley of Fear," "The Boscombe Valley Mystery," "The Sign of Four," and "The Hound of the Baskervilles." Although highly regarded by many Holmes aficionados, the series suffered from unfortunate circumstances. A planned second series was abandoned due to Cushing's ill health. The series also suffered from being wiped from the BBC archives, a common practice at the time. As a result, only a few episodes and some clips have survived. "The Hound of the Baskervilles" survives in its entirety. This contributes to its status as a relatively obscure adaptation of the Sherlock Holmes canon.