‘Hobbit’ star Martin Freeman discusses ‘Sherlock’ season 3, Watson sticking with Holmes, Lars Mikkelson as the new villain
BBC One’s hit show Sherlock returns in January for the third season of the popular Sherlock Holmes drama starring Benedict Cumberbatch was the titular sleuth and Martin Freeman as his partner Dr. John Watson.
Freeman discussed with the RTE in a Dec. 30 interview about the new season and how his character was changed by the death of Holmes at the end of season 2.
“His best friend has died horribly in front of him, which took a long time to get over, but the way that his life has moved on is that he has fallen in love with Mary (Morstan, played by Amanda Abbington). He is leading a functional, normal-ish life, really, which doesn’t have the highs and lows of his life with Sherlock but is certainly a bit more steady. But there is a sadness with John which will always be with him when you lose someone that you love – he is slightly dulled by life.”
While fans love Cumberbatch’s Holmes, he can be abrasive and arrogant, so Freeman gave his thoughts on Watson sticking by his side.
“He’s a pretty magnetic bloke. He’s very intelligent and there is something mesmeric about his obsessiveness as well. He’s the cleverest bloke that John has ever met and he likes that challenge and the share of the danger as well. Because John is ultimately into danger as well: he is a solider and a doctor so he is around situations that are perilous and a bit tasty. So he responds to that in Sherlock and he just wants to be around him – I sometimes don’t even know why!”
Of course fans can’t wait to see how Holmes squares off against a new villain as well as the introduction of Mary Morstan.
“Lars Mikkelsen (who plays Charles Augustus Magnussen) is fantastic; he is a brilliant villain. For those who will miss Moriarty, which is totally understandable, we have another fantastic nemesis for Sherlock and John – he does it superbly. Of course, having Mary Morstan around is good because that adds another dynamic to Sherlock and John’s relationship and another dimension to John’s life. It was great having Amanda Abbington on board – she was brilliant, I like working with her!”
Check out the full interview HERE
Sherlock premieres in the U.K. on January 1st and in the U.S. on January 19th.