Sherlock Star Defends Nude Scenes in Series Premiere

Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch has dismissed criticism of the nudity featured in the second series premiere of the show on January 1st.

During the TCA (Television Critics Association) winter press tour in LA, Cumberbatch commented on the A Scandal in Belgravia episode saying, “It’s great publicity, isn’t it? I think there’s an awful lot of support for the way that we did it, and the taste that we did it with, and if it creates more interest in the programme? Thank you very much for that.”

“It’s not supposed to be a source of stimulation for the audience. It’s supposed to throw Holmes’ radar off – which is exactly what it does.”

The scene in question introduces Irene Adler, who enters the room and greets Sherlock – naked – in order to prevent him from gleaning clues about her from her clothing or accessories. However moments later Sherlock is able to gain access to a hidden safe in the room by correctly guessing Adler’s measurements as the combination code.

Sherlock’s Lara Pulver on Nude Scenes: I have never felt so vulnerable

Despite clever editing that effectively hid any actual onscreen nudity, British tabloid The Daily Mail subsequently criticized the BBC for airing the episode before the 9pm watershed. Despite the Daily Mail article, the BBC insisted they had not received any complaints from viewers and reiterated that they would not edit out scenes from the upcoming repeat of the episode this weekend on BBC 3.

The second season continues on Sunday evening in the UK at 8.30pm on BBC 1 with The Hounds of Baskerville.

Fans in the US can catch all three episodes of the new season in May on BBC America.