FIRST LOOK: Benedict Cumberbatch in BBC1 drama The Child in Time

Sherlock Holmes, Benedict Cumberbatch
‘My best friend, Sherlock Holmes, is dead,’ said Dr John Watson as the tricksy finale to season two of BBC1’s modern-day version of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic story kicked off in 2012. Benedict Cumberbatch’s legions of fans were immediately plunged into mourning as we learned the supersleuth had deliberately leapt to his death from St Bart’s in front of the shocked ex-army medic. But grief soon gave way to intrigue when a flesh-and-blood Sherlock – unseen by Watson – appeared near his own gravestone. Social media networks went into meltdown as viewers speculated how Sherlock had faked the fatal leap. Answer? With great aplomb. But the detective wasn’t the only one to fool viewers, cue Moriarty… (Image credit: EMPICS Entertainment Limited Rig)

Sherlock's Benedict Cumberbatch will co-star with Kelly Macdonald in the BBC1 adaptation of Ian McEwan’s award-winning novel The Child in Time

Trainspotting star Kelly Macdonald will star alongside Benedict Cumberbatch in the upcoming BBC1 adaptation of Ian McEwan’s award-winning novel The Child in Time.

The Scottish actress will also be joined in the one-off 90-minute programme by The History Boys star Stephen Campbell Moore and Luther actress Saskia Reeves.

Benedict Cumberbatch will star in the TV adaptation of Ian McEwan's novel (BBC)

Benedict Cumberbatch will star in the TV adaptation of Ian McEwan’s novel (BBC)

 

A first-look picture released shows Benedict, who will play children’s author Stephen Lewis, walking through a forest.

The book, which won Ian the prestigious Whitbread Novel Award in 1987, is centred around Lewis and his wife, and their struggle following the devastating loss of their young child.

Kelly Macdonald attending the EE British Academy Film Awards held at the Royal Albert Hall. (Ian West)

Kelly Macdonald will also star in the adaptation (Ian West)

 

The drama is the first to be produced by Benedict’s production company SunnyMarch TV and is directed by British director Julian Farino, whose previous television credits include the first few instalments of hit HBO show Entourage.

The novel has been adapted for television by Stephen Butchard, who recently worked on The Last Kingdom.

Benedict stars as Sherlock in the BBC adaptation (BBC)

Benedict as Sherlock in the BBC adaptation (BBC)

 

Pinewood Television’s executive producer Helen Gregory said: “I’m so delighted to have such a talented cast join Benedict, Julian and the team and I’m very much looking forward to seeing them bring Stephen’s script to screen.”

Benedict also starred in the big screen adaptation of Ian MacEwan’s book Atonement.

Filming on the production has begun, but a transmission date has not yet been confirmed.

 

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