Sherlock Holmes is sent to 21st century to fight crime on London's mean streets in new BBC series

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
UPDATED: 16:34 GMT, 21 March 2010

Sherlock Holmes is being brought back to life on our TV screens, but this time the famous detective will be policing the gritty streets of modern London.

Arthur Conan Doyle's popular crime fighter will keep his address at 221B Baker Street and Dr John Watson will still be at his side.

But it will be set in the 21st century with events such the war in Afghanistan getting a mention. 

The new cast: Benedict Cumberbatch (left) plays Sherlock Holmes while Martin Freeman stars as Dr Watson in a modern-day version of the famous detective story set to air on the BBC

The BBC series is the brainchild of Doctor Who writer Steven Moffat and actor and writer Mark Gatiss, star of The League of Gentleman.

Holmes will be played by Benedict Cumberbatch, while Martin Freeman from The Office will be loyal friend Dr Watson.

None of the original plots will be used, but fans may notice 'many of the echoes' of Conan Doyle's stories.

When Holmes first meets Dr Watson on a fateful day recorded in A Study in Scarlett, he asks: 'How are you? You have been in Afghanistan, I perceive.'