Steven Moffat Talks Sherlock’s New Villain

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PopWrapped Admin

Published

December 20, 2013

Catherine Meushaw

Staff Writer

Sherlock is getting a new villain and he’s going to be a scary one, giving “proper chills and make you shrivel at times” according to co-creator Steven Moffat.

Danish Actor Lars Mikkelsen will be playing Charles Augustus Magnussen, a character based off of Charles Augustus Milverton. Magnussen is described by Moffat as an “outstanding villain.”

He added that Milverton “is the only character in all of Sherlock Holmes where Sherlock Holmes actually says he hates him.”

Co-creator Mark Gatiss described their take on the character as a, “very modern idea, someone who is manipulating people through the media, a sort of person you know is out there.”

Gatiss added, “He is a man to whom power is second nature. He’s not a baddie in his own mind.” Of Mikkelsen, “Lars is a stunning actor and the nicest man. He is a delight to be around. He’s brought something really interesting and new to the show.”

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Benedict Cumberbatch weighed in on the new villain, describing him as the “archetypal bully.”

He also said, “He is so measured and precise- he is like a shark, a terrifyingly perfect predator of our age. His means and methods are chillingly everyday in our culture. He’s a smart creation, very real and not fantastical.”

Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat sat down with Digital Spy for a video interview to talk about the upcoming third season.

Moffat was asked how difficult it was to retain mystery. He responded, “It’s impossible, it’s literally impossible… So we don’t keep any secrets…We are dependent on the grace and the kindness of our fans and our press.”

Moffat also addressed the question of why have fans latched onto Holmes and Watson. “It’s the most famous friendship in fiction, has been long before I was anywhere near them or Mark was. It’s the most affecting friendship in fiction, so this is not new. So I think, if I was going to be immodest that we’ve done a very very good version of it and we’ve cast two actors who I think could make a case for best actors in the role.”

Okay, Sherlock fans, weigh in! Are you excited about the new addition? Tell us in the comments below!