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The Television Sherlock Holmes
The complete account of Sherlock Holmes on television - illustrated with unique material from many historic productions, including full coverage of the four classic Granada Television series, with special contributions and a new foreword from Granada's acclaimed Sherlock Holmes, Jeremy Brett.
Features fully updated programme details for all the Granada 'Sherlock Holmes' series and full-length dramas.
Features fully updated programme details for all the Granada 'Sherlock Holmes' series and full-length dramas.
- GenresNonfictionMystery
256 pages, Paperback
First published December 31, 1986
59 people want to read
About the author
Peter Haining
331 books99 followersPeter Alexander Haining was an English journalist, author and anthologist who lived and worked in Suffolk. Born in Enfield, Middlesex, he began his career as a reporter in Essex and then moved to London where he worked on a trade magazine before joining the publishing house of New English Library.
Haining achieved the position of Editorial Director before becoming a full time writer in the early Seventies. He edited a large number of anthologies, predominantly of horror and fantasy short stories, wrote non-fiction books on a variety of topics from the Channel Tunnel to Sweeney Todd and also used the pen names "Ric Alexander" and "Richard Peyton" on a number of crime story anthologies. In the Seventies he wrote three novels, including The Hero (1973), which was optioned for filming.
In two controversial books, Haining argued that Sweeney Todd was a real historical figure who committed his crimes around 1800, was tried in December 1801, and was hanged in January 1802. However, other researchers who have tried to verify his citations find nothing in these sources to back Haining's claims. A check of the website Old Bailey at for "Associated Records 1674-1834" for an alleged trial in December 1801 and hanging of Sweeney Todd for January 1802 show no reference; in fact the only murder trial for this period is that of a Governor/Lt Col. Joseph Wall who was hanged 28 January 1802 for killing a Benjamin Armstrong 10 July 1782 in "Goree" Africa and the discharge of a Humphrey White in January 1802. Strong reservations have also been expressed regarding the reliability of another of Haining's influential non-fiction works, The Legend and Bizarre Crimes of Spring Heeled Jack.
He wrote several reference books on Doctor Who, including the 20th anniversary special Doctor Who: A Celebration Two Decades Through Time and Space (1983), and also wrote the definitive study of Sherlock Holmes on the screen, The Television Sherlock Holmes (1991) and several other television tie-ins featuring famous literary characters, including Maigret, Poirot and James Bond. Peter Haining's most recent project was a series of World War Two stories based on extensive research and personal interviews: The Jail That Went To Sea (2003), The Mystery of Rommel's Gold (2004), Where The Eagle Landed (2004), The Chianti Raiders (2005) and The Banzai Hunters (2007).
He won the British Fantasy Awards Karl Edward Wagner Award in 2001.
Haining achieved the position of Editorial Director before becoming a full time writer in the early Seventies. He edited a large number of anthologies, predominantly of horror and fantasy short stories, wrote non-fiction books on a variety of topics from the Channel Tunnel to Sweeney Todd and also used the pen names "Ric Alexander" and "Richard Peyton" on a number of crime story anthologies. In the Seventies he wrote three novels, including The Hero (1973), which was optioned for filming.
In two controversial books, Haining argued that Sweeney Todd was a real historical figure who committed his crimes around 1800, was tried in December 1801, and was hanged in January 1802. However, other researchers who have tried to verify his citations find nothing in these sources to back Haining's claims. A check of the website Old Bailey at for "Associated Records 1674-1834" for an alleged trial in December 1801 and hanging of Sweeney Todd for January 1802 show no reference; in fact the only murder trial for this period is that of a Governor/Lt Col. Joseph Wall who was hanged 28 January 1802 for killing a Benjamin Armstrong 10 July 1782 in "Goree" Africa and the discharge of a Humphrey White in January 1802. Strong reservations have also been expressed regarding the reliability of another of Haining's influential non-fiction works, The Legend and Bizarre Crimes of Spring Heeled Jack.
He wrote several reference books on Doctor Who, including the 20th anniversary special Doctor Who: A Celebration Two Decades Through Time and Space (1983), and also wrote the definitive study of Sherlock Holmes on the screen, The Television Sherlock Holmes (1991) and several other television tie-ins featuring famous literary characters, including Maigret, Poirot and James Bond. Peter Haining's most recent project was a series of World War Two stories based on extensive research and personal interviews: The Jail That Went To Sea (2003), The Mystery of Rommel's Gold (2004), Where The Eagle Landed (2004), The Chianti Raiders (2005) and The Banzai Hunters (2007).
He won the British Fantasy Awards Karl Edward Wagner Award in 2001.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 3, 2023
A great introduction and survey into the wonderful Granada series. Jeremy Brett IS Sherlock Holmes.
July 26, 2016
Rating Clarification: 2.5 Stars
Underwhelming.
As a lover of the Granada Television series featuring the incomparable Jeremy Brett as Sherlock Holmes, I was really looking for more background detail concerning the episodes from the series. That aspect was very scantily convered, with no "insider" tid-bits that I love in books of this nature. Instead, the reader is treated to well over 1/2 of the book featuring other Sherlockian movies, tv productions and series NOT related to the Granada Television series. Kinda felt like a switch and bait to me, in that I was expecting 100% of the book to focus on the Granada Television production.
On the plus side, it did feature some cool color and B/W photos.
Underwhelming.
As a lover of the Granada Television series featuring the incomparable Jeremy Brett as Sherlock Holmes, I was really looking for more background detail concerning the episodes from the series. That aspect was very scantily convered, with no "insider" tid-bits that I love in books of this nature. Instead, the reader is treated to well over 1/2 of the book featuring other Sherlockian movies, tv productions and series NOT related to the Granada Television series. Kinda felt like a switch and bait to me, in that I was expecting 100% of the book to focus on the Granada Television production.
On the plus side, it did feature some cool color and B/W photos.
April 25, 2024
Definitive guide of the making of the best Sherlock Holmes series of all time. Includes comprehensive articles on the history of prior portrayals of the character as well as candid interviews with cast and crew of the Granada series with particular attention to Jeremy Brett’s struggle to bring the definitive Holmes to life throughout the entire forty-one episode run. Essential reading for fans of the character and the show.
June 5, 2017
Must Read for Sherlock Holmes Enthusiasts!
This book compiles a an overview of Sherlock Holmes on Television starting with "The Three Garridebs" (1937, Louis Hector as Sherlock Holmes).
An endless list of actors have played one of the most famous characters in literature. Uncountable and each focusing on different aspects!
Thanks to this very informative book!
This book compiles a an overview of Sherlock Holmes on Television starting with "The Three Garridebs" (1937, Louis Hector as Sherlock Holmes).
An endless list of actors have played one of the most famous characters in literature. Uncountable and each focusing on different aspects!
Thanks to this very informative book!
December 12, 2025
A little too fannish, though that is the nature of the project, but an otherwise insightful and fairly comprehensive history of Holmes on television with an emphasis on the disappointing Granda series.
August 4, 2013
This is a lovely book and must have on the bookshelf for any Sherlockians wanting to expand their knowledge on all things Sherlock Holmes when it comes to the silver screen! The Television Sherlock Holmes is a fascinating insight into the filming of the Granada Sherlock Holmes series as we are taken behind the scenes and given descriptions of the various locations in which filming took place. I particularly enjoyed that as one of the things I did enjoy about the Granada series was the wonderful locations used and I tried to think of where it might be! The beginning of this book does go into the history of Sherlock Holmes on stage and screen which is a treat in itself before taking us on a tour of the Baker Street set used in the filming of the Granada series, looking at the characters of Holmes, Dr Watson, Professor Moriarty and even a discussion of Watson's Dog! There is also as I mentioned earlier a chapter on the locations in which various episodes were filmed and a detailed synopsis of the Sherlock Holmes stories that were filmed, this edition takes us up to the final episode The Cardboard Box.
The Television Sherlock Holmes has plenty of pictures both colour and black and white of the series and behind the scenes. But there is more! There are also illustrations by Sydney Paget and photos of past actors who have played Sherlock Holmes on stage and screen!
If you want an excellent read on Sherlock Holmes on screen, and are particularly interested in the Granada series of Sherlock Holmes, then this is the book for you. To claim that I have read this book would be untrue, I am always going back to it as a reference guide! This is a review of the 1991 edition. There were three editions. I have both the 1991 edition and also 1994 edition. Whatever edition you get it will be a worthy addition to your Sherlockian book collection.
The Television Sherlock Holmes has plenty of pictures both colour and black and white of the series and behind the scenes. But there is more! There are also illustrations by Sydney Paget and photos of past actors who have played Sherlock Holmes on stage and screen!
If you want an excellent read on Sherlock Holmes on screen, and are particularly interested in the Granada series of Sherlock Holmes, then this is the book for you. To claim that I have read this book would be untrue, I am always going back to it as a reference guide! This is a review of the 1991 edition. There were three editions. I have both the 1991 edition and also 1994 edition. Whatever edition you get it will be a worthy addition to your Sherlockian book collection.
February 10, 2017
Lavishly illustrated and beautifully presented book. It's written by a Sherlock Homes fan who is also a fan of the Granada Sherlock Holmes series starring Jeremy Brett FOR Sherlock Holmes and the Granada series fans. These are BIG PLUSES for me as I felt that Haining was talking my language.
Only two problems I can see:
1) Too short
2) The captions are wrong for a photo or two in the final season (or series as they say in the UK) -- but this was because this book was sent to the publishers before the final season had finished filming. Brett caught pneumonia during this season and had to spend the filming of "The Mazarin Stone" while recovering. One photo is captioned for "The Mazarin Stone" but is from another episode. I suppose the rush to get the book to the publishers was so the book could be published at the beginning of the final season.
And just a not for all the kids out there -- this was published long before the Benedict Cumberbatch version so do not pick up this book expecting to see Benedict Cumberbatch because it ain't gonna happen. So I'll give you a 'Batch here:
Only two problems I can see:
1) Too short
2) The captions are wrong for a photo or two in the final season (or series as they say in the UK) -- but this was because this book was sent to the publishers before the final season had finished filming. Brett caught pneumonia during this season and had to spend the filming of "The Mazarin Stone" while recovering. One photo is captioned for "The Mazarin Stone" but is from another episode. I suppose the rush to get the book to the publishers was so the book could be published at the beginning of the final season.
And just a not for all the kids out there -- this was published long before the Benedict Cumberbatch version so do not pick up this book expecting to see Benedict Cumberbatch because it ain't gonna happen. So I'll give you a 'Batch here:
February 5, 2011
Take my review of the M*A*S*H* guide and repeat. This is a brilliant guide, that I simply INHALED...yet it also fights against the tendency to drop into coffee table book hell. Luckily, it too just manages to escape that death sentence...
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August 21, 2011good book to add to collection
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews