Worldwide has announced that the upcoming Sherlock special will be released in Chinese theaters as part of “a global cinema event”. The idea does have to be approved by the government, but we don’t think that there is anything in the Benedict Cumberbatch – Martin Freeman series that would be thought of as particularly offensive.
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According to that list, PBS stated the Christmas special of “Sherlock” may air sometime in 2016 but hasn’t set a date, which debunks reports that the special episode will air Christmas day.
The move to screen the episode in China comes after the BBC inked a deal with the country’s Shanghai Media Group, will see them work together on two of the broadcaster’s biggest franchises, “Earth” and “Sherlock”.
Since first airing there in 2010 the series has grown a huge audience in the country, with over 98 million “views” on the online TV platform Youku, which shows it there.
The BBC also announced a new partnership between BBC Earth Films and Shanghai Media Group Pictures, which will co-produce a new documentary feature film (working title Earth: One wonderful Day) to be released in theaters in 2017.
Earth: One awesome Day is due in cinemas in 2017 and is the first film to be produced under the United Kingdom and China film co-production treaty announced in 2014. The episode, co-written by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, will also star regulars Rupert Graves, Una Stubbs, Louise Brealey and Amanda Abbington.
Worldwide has signed a memorandum of understanding with China’s Shanghai Media Group (SMG) to coproduce a local version of nature series Coast.
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Tim Davie, CEO of BBC Worldwide, said: “Today’s announcements herald an exciting new collaboration between the Chinese and British creative industries. This milestone event will act as a bridge between Sino-UK cultural exchanges and set up a new model for Sino-UK collaboration”, said Wang Jianjun, director-general and president, SMG.
