Banijay UK label, Remarkable Entertainment, has signed an exclusive deal with The Arthur Conan Doyle estate to develop a non-scripted TV format idea that draws on the world of Sherlock Holmes.
The new reality competition called Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock: The Detective Academy (w/t), has been developed with a view to taking it to both UK broadcasters and the international market.
The series will test players’ powers of deduction and logic as they attempt to solve puzzling crimes from the world of Sherlock Holmes.
Tamara Gilder and Cat Lawson, Joint MDs of Remarkable Entertainment, said: “Sherlock Holmes is the most famous literary detective of all time, so we’re absolutely thrilled to have signed this deal with The Arthur Conan Doyle Estate. What an incredible legacy of work – especially the Sherlock Holmes stories. His world offers a truly epic creative backdrop for the next big non-scripted competition. Our partnership opens the door to a rich universe of iconic IP. The Detective Academy (w/t) will immerse contestants in a visually stunning mystery world, where their powers of observation and deduction are put to the ultimate test. There is simply no greater figure in detective fiction – Sherlock Holmes defined the genre and continues to inspire new generations of armchair detectives around the world. Working in close collaboration with The Arthur Conan Doyle Estate, the guardians of Conan Doyle’s work and his incredible characters, including the world-famous detective, will ensure the format and its contestants are immersed in the most authentic world of Sherlock Holmes.”
Tim Hubbard, Creative Director and Global Partnerships at The Conan Doyle Estate, added: “The Game’s Afoot! One of Conan Doyle’s most iconic slogans within the Sherlock Holmes stories. It certainly is now! Remarkable Entertainment’s brilliant concept and dedication to the thrill of the game and dedication not only to the great detective, but to Doyle’s genius storytelling, plots and scene setting made this the absolute favourite for our partnership. The Sherlock Holmes stories revolutionized policing and investigation. Scientific method, forensic science, and deductive reasoning into crime-solving. His influence helped shift real-world detective work from intuition and guesswork to logic, observation, and evidence-based techniques. Can the contestants match the great Sherlock?”
The deal was negotiated by Emily Hayward Whitlock at TAP and Jon Wood at RCW.
Jon Creamer
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