SURVEY ON THE PHENOMENON AND LASTING IMPACT OF BBC SHERLOCK
I am researching the phenomenon and lasting impact of BBC's Sherlock. Among other things, I am interested in how watching BBC's Sherlock and/or participation in its fandom may have led fans to explore the Sherlock Holmes canon and traditional Victorian adaptations and communities. This survey is meant for people who have watched all or most of the BBC's television series "Sherlock" (starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman) which aired from 2010 to 2017). Responses are anonymous.
I have watched at least ten of the thirteen episodes of BBC's Sherlock
*
No
Yes
If your answer was no, please do not continue.
What did you like best about BBC's Sherlock?
*
The relationship between John and Sherlock.
The characters.
The cinematography.
Sherlock/Benedict Cumberbatch
John/Martin Freeman
The relationship between Sherlock and Mycroft
The writing
The cases
Other
Speaking specifically about BBC's Sherlock. Even though you may like some episodes more than others, in general:
*
I disliked the show.
I could take it or leave it
I enjoyed the show.
I loved the show.
I became obsessed.
Which option best describes your awareness of Sherlock Holmes and your consumption of Sherlock Holmes materials (canon, movies, TV, etc.) before watching BBC's Sherlock?
*
Before watching BBC's Sherlock, I was completely unfamiliar with Sherlock Holmes
While I had been aware of Sherlock Holmes, BBC Sherlock was my first real introduction to Sherlock Holmes.
I was a casual watcher and/or reader of Sherlock Holmes material before watching BBC's Sherlock
I was an avid watcher and/or reader of Sherlock Holmes material before watching BBC's Sherlock
Did watching BBC's Sherlock lead you to watch other film and TV adaptations?
*
Yes
No
If the answer to the previous question was yes, please check all that apply
Jeremy Brett/Burke (Granada TV)
Basil Rathbone/Nigel Bruce
The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes
Young Sherlock Holmes
Mr. Holmes
Ron Howard (TV Series)
A Seven Percent Solution
Robert Downey Jr. /Jude Law
All/most of these and more!
Other
Did watching BBC's Sherlock lead you to read canon for the first time or to come back to it after a long hiatus? Canon refers to Arthur Conan Doyle's original Sherlock Holmes stories
*
Yes, it lead me to read canon for the first time.
Yes, it led me to reread canon after a long hiatus.
No, I'm not interested in Sherlock Holmes canon.
No, I had already been a canon reader
Did you belong to any Sherlock Holmes groups or societies prior to watching BBC's Sherlock?
*
Yes
No
If the answer to the previous question is no, did watching BBC's Sherlock lead you to join any Sherlock Holmes groups or societies? Check all that apply.
No
Yes, I joined an organized Sherlock Holmes group that is not a scion society of the Baker Street Irregulars.
Yes, I joined a social media group (such as a Facebook group)
Yes, I joined a scion society of the Baker Street Irregulars.
Did watching BBC's Sherlock lead you to attend any Sherlock Holmes conferences or cons?
*
Yes
No
If your answer to the above question is yes, which ones?
Did watching BBC's Sherlock lead you to become part of an online fan community (X, Tumblr, etc.)?
*
Yes
No
Did watching BBC's Sherlock lead you to develop close friendships?
*
Yes
No
Did/do you "ship" any of the BBC Sherlock characters? This means do you enjoy imagining them in a romantic relationship with each other?
*
Yes
No
Yes, and I shipped Sherlock Holmes characters from canon or other adaptations before watching BBC's Sherlock.
If the answer to the previous question was yes. What is your primary "ship"?
Sherlock/John
Sherlock/Irene
Sherlock/Molly
Mycroft/Lestrade
Other
Has BBC's Sherlock impacted your life in any meaningful way?
*
It has positively impacted my life.
It has negatively impacted my life.
It has not impacted my life in any meaningful way.
Did BBC's Sherlock inspire you in a creative way? Do you write or create art because of it?
*
Yes
No
BBC's Sherlock ended in 2017. Which response best describes your current feelings about Sherlock Holmes.
*
My interest in Sherlock Holmes remains steady since 2017.
My interest in Sherlock Holmes has decreased since 2017.
My interest in Sherlock Holmes has increased since 2017.
Do you still watch BBC's Sherlock?
*
I don't intend to watch it again
Rarely
Yes, a few times a year.
Yes, at least once a month.
What is your favorite episode of BBC's Sherlock?
*
A Study in Pink
The Blind Banker
The Great Game
A Scandal in Belgravia
The Hounds of Baskerville
The Reichenbach Fall
The Abominable Bride
The Empty Hearse
The Sign of Three
His Last Vow
The Six Thatchers
The Lying Detective
The Final Problem
What is your least favorite episode of BBC's Sherlock?
*
A Study in Pink
The Blind Banker
The Great Game
A Scandal in Belgravia
The Hounds of Baskerville
The Reichenbach Fall
The Abominable Bride
The Empty Hearse
The Sign of Three
His Last Vow
The Six Thatchers
The Lying Detective
The Final Problem
To what extent did the sex appeal of one or more of the actors or characters increase your enjoyment of BBC's Sherlock?
*
Not at all
Maybe a little
Moderately
Very much
1000%
Optional: Thinking about the previous question, which of BBC Sherlock's characters did you feel most drawn to?
Sherlock Holmes
John Watson
Irene Adler
Greg Lestrade
Mycroft Holmes
Other
How often do you consume Sherlock Holmes material (books, movies, TV, podcasts, essays)?
*
Less than once a month
At least once a month
At least once a week
Every day
How often do you talk/interact with other Sherlock Holmes enthusiasts?
*
Less than once a month
At least once a month
At least once a week
Every day
How often do you think about Sherlock Holmes?
*
Less than once a month
At least once a month
At least once a week
Every day
What is your age?
*
under 18
18-30
31-45
46-60
61-74
75 or over
prefer not to answer
What country do you live in?
*
Optional: Tell me a little bit about the impact the BBC's Sherlock has had on you.
Optional: How would you describe the legacy and impact of BBC's Sherlock (not for you personally, but in general).
Thank you for taking my survey! If you have information such as articles, analysis, etc. on the success and reach of the show, (or if you just have more to say) please let me know. You can get in touch with me at kyndallpotts@gmail.com. I intend to make the results of the survey available on social media sometime in the Spring of 2026. Follow me on X (Kyndall@CumberCurlyGirl), Bluesky (@kyndall-221b.bsky.social) or Tumblr (CumberCurlyGirl) if you are interested.
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