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Hugh Bonneville hosts new Sherlock Holmes series on 大象传媒 Sounds

Sherlock Holmes is one of history’s most celebrated fictional detectives.

His adventures have been enjoyed by audiences around the world for over a century with new generations discovering his thrilling tales through blockbuster films, television series, and even video games.

Now, the great detectives’ most famous mysteries are being brought to life in the new podcast鈥�Sherlock Holmes Short Stories鈥痟osted by Hugh Bonneville.

Think you know Sherlock? Here are five facts about the super sleuth that may surprise you.

Immerse yourself in Sherlock Holmes Short Stories on 大象传媒 Sounds!

Hugh Bonneville (as photographed by Gavin Bond) hosts Sherlock Holmes Stories on 大象传媒 Sounds

1. Sherlock Holmes Made His Debut at Christmas

Arthur Conan Doyle’s first Sherlock Holmes mystery “A Study in Scarlet” debuted in the 1887 edition of Beeton’s Christmas Annual. Though a twisted tale of murder and intrigue may not sound like your typical Christmas entertainment, it was perfectly in line with the Victorian holiday tradition of telling thrilling stories around the fire.

Adventures with Sherlock Holmes 漏 Wiki Commons

2. Holmes was a Pioneer of Forensic Science (Really!)

Sherlock Holmes is best known for his uncanny attention to detail. From minute observations like a trace of chalk on Watson’s thumb or the mud splatter on a client’s gown, he’s able to surmise an incredible amount of information, sometimes even laying out his subject’s whole life story. But while Holmes’s genius deductions may seem far-fetched, he actually was significantly ahead of his time in the field of forensic science. In “The Sign of Four”, published in 1890 Sherlock uses fingerprints to help solve the case — more than a decade before the real Scotland Yard started using them in crime detection.

He also used bloodstain, ballistic, and handwriting analysis sometimes decades before they became mainstream. This of course is not to say that the fictional detective invented these methods but it does point to Conan Doyle’s deep interest in cutting-edge forensic science.

3. He Never Said “Elementary, my dear Watson”

While Sherlock Holmes does often say "Elementary" and "my dear Watson" in the original stories, he never says the two phrases together. The iconic line first appeared in the 1929 film "The Return of Sherlock Holmes" starring Clive Brook and was later popularised in Basil Rathbone's iconic portrayal of the detective.

4. …Or Wore a Deerstalker Cap

The deerstalker cap has become emblematic of the great detective. However, Sherlock’s distinctive headwear never featured in Conan Doyle’s original works, at least not by name. The first time Holmes was portrayed wearing the famous hat was in an illustration in The Strand magazine in 1891. Then, in 1899 actor William Gillette who portrayed Holmes in the stage play appeared in promotional material donning a deerstalker and from there the image stuck.

5. “The Speckled Band” was Arthur Conan Doyle’s Favourite Sherlock Mystery

“The Speckled Band,” published in 1892, frequently charts in reader polls as the greatest Sherlock Holmes mystery. Conan Doyle himself even called it his best story and it's easy to see why. All the classic Holmesian elements are on display here: a locked room mystery, a fearsome villain with nefarious motives, and an unlikely killer.

You can listen to “The Speckled Band” in its original, masterful form along with other iconic capers on 大象传媒 Sounds. Featuring immersive sound design and bespoke music from award-winning podcasters, Noiser.