Imaginary Worlds Holmes and Watson: True Crime Podcasters
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Apr 22, 2026 Adam Jarrell, co-creator and sound designer of Sherlock & Co., discusses immersive location recording and layered sound. Joel Emery, writer and co-creator, adapts Doyle’s canon for modern audio drama and explores emotionalizing classic plots. They talk about reimagining Victorian stories for today, portraying Sherlock’s temperament, expanding supporting roles, and engaging a Gen Z audience.
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Podcast Format Lets Canon Breathe
- Sherlock & Co uses a fake true-crime podcast format to modernize Conan Doyle while preserving the original plots.
- Joel Emery adapts 56 stories and four novels, stretching some (like Hound) into multi-episode arcs for breathing room and character depth.
Add Emotional Layers To Old Plots
- Joel intentionally adds emotional baggage and regression scenes to make Victorian plots feel immediate.
- Examples: Musgrave becomes Sherlock's childhood bully and Gloria Scott is rendered as a sleepover memory to evoke youthful vulnerability.
Capture Location And Layer Sound For Authenticity
- Record real locations and use layered sound libraries to sell authenticity in audio drama.
- Adam Jarrell records Baker Street and Dartmoor when possible and mixes 20–25 audio channels for complex scenes like chases.