ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the representation of the tabloid press in the second and third series of Sherlock and, in turn, on the series’ lead writers and their handling of publicity for Sherlock’s third series in January 2014. Expectations for the new series were high, as Sherlock’s popularity had grown and intensified in the two-year hiatus between series two and three. Gatiss and Moffat became increasingly visible as public figures, as interest in Sherlock spilled over into press and fan interest in the making of Sherlock. The chapter raises the question of whether Sherlock itself took a political stance in response to news events of the time, and whether its two lead writers acted as political agents, as well as cultural agents.
