Reality competition Arthur 'Conan Doyle’s Sherlock: The Detective Academy' in the works
A new reality-competition series based on Sherlock Holmes is in the works.
Banijay UK-owned Remarkable Entertainment has struck an exclusive agreement with The Arthur Conan Doyle Estate to develop a new unscripted television format set in the world of Sherlock Holmes.
The show, currently titled Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock: The Detective Academy, will be pitched to UK broadcasters and international buyers as the company moves to expand its non-scripted portfolio. The deal was brokered by Emily Hayward Whitlock at The Artists Partnership and Jon Wood at RCW.
The format will challenge contestants to harness their powers of deduction and logic as they attempt to solve intricate crimes inspired by the legendary detective’s world.
While the character of Sherlock Holmes and the majority of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories are now in the public domain, aligning with the official estate allows Remarkable Entertainment to sidestep potential legal complexities and benefit from the endorsement of the Conan Doyle family—a key asset when marketing the format globally.
This marks the first unscripted project based on Holmes’ universe, which has previously inspired numerous acclaimed scripted adaptations, including the BBC’s Sherlock starring Benedict Cumberbatch.
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Tamara Gilder and Cat Lawson, joint MDs of Remarkable Entertainment, said in a joint statement that the world of Sherlock Holmes “offers a truly epic creative backdrop for the next big non-scripted competition.”
They added the show “will immerse contestants in a visually stunning mystery world, where their powers of observation and deduction are put to the ultimate test.”
Tim Hubbard, creative director, global partnerships at The Conan Doyle Estate, commented: “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 Detective Academy joins Remarkable’s slate of unscripted hits, which includes Deal or No Deal, Richard Osman’s House of Games, Pointless, Only Connect, Tipping Point, and the upcoming Netflix competition series Building the Band.