| Summary: | In this thesis I will be examining the logistics of television adaptation, with regard to the Granada series Sherlock Holmes (1984-1994). This series encapsulates many of the major themes in adaptation studies, for example the perception of fidelity, heritage credentials and popularity of ‘classic’ literature. I will consider how budgets, production constraints, scheduling, and changes in the television landscape and audience response impacted on the series over the decade it was on air.
During the early 1980s heritage television was very popular with audiences; companies like Granada Television discovered the benefits of producing big budget programmes (such as Brideshead Revisited (1981)), which were shot like feature films and sold all over the world. I will discuss the commissioning of Sherlock Holmes as a continuation of Granada’s heritage tradition, an association which was reinforced by initial production decisions made regarding the style of the series. Episodes will be used as case studies in order to illustrate the main points being made in each chapter. For example, ‘A Scandal in Bohemia’ set the template for future episodes and the justification of changes in dramatizing ‘The Greek Interpreter’ would lead to more significant amendments in later series.
The series was broadcast over 10 years, during which time industrial factors, such as changes to broadcast policy, budget cuts and scheduling, influenced the direction of the series and compromised the original production aims of fidelity and authenticity. Episodes of the series will be used as case studies in order to illustrate the main points being made in each chapter. For example The Hound of the Baskervilles was compromised by budget cuts and The Eligible Bachelor by a change in direction for the style of the series.
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