BBC Sherlock Fan Forum - Serving Sherlockians since February 2012 / Originally they were going to have a format with more episodes

**Posted by BrettHolmes** June 1, 2014 11:53 pm

In the book, “The Sherlock Files” by Guy Adams. I read that at first they were going to have the usual six hour-long episodes per season. However, BBC decided to commission the series for three 90-minute episodes instead. So they basically rewrote and remade the original pilot (which I haven’t seen) that had been used to sell the series to the network and titled it “A Study in Pink.” The rest as they say is history.

As frustrating as it is to have only three episodes every season, I do think that the hour and half long format makes the episodes more epic and gives them a greater sense of scope.

**Posted by gently69** June 2, 2014 5:11 am

Oh yes, compared to the one hour pilot there is a big improvement of the episodes now. They are more like stand alone films than parts of a tv series.

**Posted by Ben15** June 4, 2014 10:25 am

I totally agree it's nice for them to start and end in the same episode if you were, as you say a stand alone film

**Posted by SusiGo** June 4, 2014 10:40 am

Yes, it is interesting to see the changes they have made compared to the pilot episode. For example Mycroft was not in there at all and he is such a wonderful character.