Sherlock producer Sue Vertue has described the upcoming US Sherlock Holmes series Elementary as "extremely worrying".
Elementary - which like Steven Moffat's recently-concluded BBC series is a modern take on the detective saga - was picked up by CBS on Tuesday (January 17).
The announcement prompted Vertue to quip on Twitter: "Mmm interesting CBS, I'm surprised no one has thought of making a modern day version of Sherlock before, oh hang on, we have!"
Vertue has now stated that although bosses from the US network have "made great assurances" that the shows will not overlap, she remains wary of the project.
"We understand that CBS are doing their own version of an updated Sherlock Holmes," she told The Independent. "It's interesting, as they approached us a while back about remaking our show.
"At the time, they made great assurances about their integrity, so we have to assume that their modernised Sherlock Holmes doesn't resemble ours in any way, as that would be extremely worrying. We are very proud of our show and like any proud parent, will protect the interest and wellbeing of our offspring."
While there appears to be an understanding between the Sherlock and Elementary teams at present, legal experts have warned that a copyright claim could occur if the new series infringes on the former's distinctive style.
"The concept of a new Sherlock Holmes is unprotectable," copyright specialist Margaret Tofalides notes. "But if the unusual elements of the BBC series - the modern settings, characters, clothes, plots and distinctive visual style - were closely reproduced in the CBS version, that could form the basis of a potential copyright claim."
Sherlock currently airs in the US on PBS.
