Jonny lee Miller believes playing Sherlock Holmes is an uncharted territory due to the exciting material that comes his way every season
A procedural drama series that presents a contemporary update of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s character Sherlock Holmes. Elementary was created by Robert Doherty and stars Jonny lee Miller and lucy liu in titular roles. The series premiered in 2012 and is in its sixth season now.
Jonathan lee Miller is an English-American film, television and theatre actor. He achieved early success for his portrayal of Simon “Sick Boy” Williamson in the dark comedy drama film Trainspotting and as Dade Murphy in Hackers, before earning further critical recognition for his performances in Afterglow, Mansfield Park, The Flying Scotsman, Endgame and T2 Trainspotting. He split beans about reprising the acclaimed character in the show’s sixth season.
How does it feel to be back for season 6 of ElementaryIJ
We have shot around 130 episodes so far. It’s a big surprise for me. You never think what’s going to happen when you start. I’ve starred in a few shows and nothing has gone this far, so I am super-grateful that I will be shooting for season 6 now.
What do you love most about playing Sherlock HolmesIJ
I love getting to say cool dialogues. I know it sounds cheesy. He is super-smart, but he is also pretty funny. I love his dry sense of humour, and I really enjoy playing this character.
What is it like to inhabit the character of Sherlock while the show’s in productionIJ
I wouldn’t say I was like him. I am a little more wound up, and probably like operating in a more tense kind of environment, because there’s so much to keep in my mind and I have to do that — people expect you to know your words, and there’s a lot of dialogues to learn. I don’t like to take my work home with me, and I don’t prefer to work on it in the evening, I like to give my brain some breathing space. So, when I’m not filming — in between shots I’m learning tomorrow’s work. And when people run into me like in the off-season, in the hiatus, I’m way more chilled out.
So, that’s my process, I don’t become Sherlock Holmes or a version of him. But I’m way more relaxed when I’m not shooting.
Is it challenging playing the same character in over six seasonsIJ
To be able to continue to play a character and continue to work at it with different material — you’re not doing a play over and over again, you don’t do the same thing. We get to work on different material which is really good and exciting. So, it’s an uncharted territory.
How does Sherlock cope with having his cognitive skills compromised at the start of season 6IJ
I think that the writers really wanted to see him being put on the spot and struggling, with something other than his addiction problems. They wanted to see him struggling — his brain is what he uses the most, it’s his bread-and-butter. So, to have that interrupted and it’s being done to somebody who relies so heavily on his brain, they really wanted to see him hampered.
How has Sherlock’s relationship with Dr Watson developed over six seasonsIJ
It doesn’t change too much because I don’t think the audience really wants it to change. People want the Holmes and Watson and their bond — lots of things have happened between them and in their lives, but essentially you want to keep that relationship the same. They both care about each other a lot. They antagonise each other slightly, probably a bit less as time has gone by, and they also lock horns occasionally. But essentially you want them to overcome those problems and be able to work together and solve mysteries.
Sherlock befriends Michael, a fellow addict in recovery, in season 6. Can Michael be trustedIJ
It seems like Michael is fascinated with Sherlock. Michael has a dark secret and he then tries to push Sherlock into his world using ulterior motives. He really tries to toy with Sherlock.
How has the experience been of working with Desmond Harrington, who plays MichaelIJ
I worked with him on a season of Dexter a few years ago and he’s a brilliant actor. He is a very subtle actor and is a lovely guy. It’s really great watching him be a total creep as well, because he is not like that in real life.
Why did you decide to finally direct an episode of Elementary in season 6IJ
I’ve been on this set for more than 100 episodes and I’m always thinking about direction. So, I thought that I’ve got to do it because if I leave this opportunity it would not be right as you’ve been provided with a wonderful setup. You’ve got everything in place, the machinery, sets you’re familiar with as well, which is key as far as the builds go, as far as the precinct goes and the brownstone goes. Fifty per cent of the show you know where you’re going to be shooting at. The other fifty percent will be on location. So, I had to take that opportunity. And I’ve watched lucy liu do it and succeed.
(Elementary season 6 airs every Monday at 10 pm on AXN)